Gladys Berejiklian ICAC: Daryl Maguire told ex-premier to get 'private phone'

Gladys Berejiklian has been grilled by the ICAC for a second day telling investigators a decision to reserve $20 million for a Wagga project was done in part to "curry favour" with voters. See how the day unfolded. 

A decision to reserve $20 million for a project championed by Daryl Maguire was made in part to “curry favour” with voters in Wagga Wagga ahead of a by-election caused by Mr Maguire’s resignation, former Premier Gladys Berejiklian has told the corruption watchdog.

Ms Berejiklian said the Riverina Conservatorium of Music project was supported by the community, and was “good for the community”.

But she said the announcement to reserve funding was also a political one, “to curry favour with the community”.

“At the end of the day, whether we like it or not, that’s democracy,” she said.

Ms Berejiklian admitted that her government “threw money at seats in order to keep them”.

She said that fact would not be a “surprise to anybody in and around government”.

The former Premier angrily rejected a suggestion from counsel assisting Scott Robertson that reserving $20 million to upgrade the conservatorium was done to to “secure a legacy for Mr Maguire”.

“No, this was about keeping the seat,” she said.

Intercepted phone calls played to the ICAC have revealed that Ms Berejiklian promised to “throw money at Wagga” at the behest of her then secret lover, after Mr Maguire resigned from parliament.

In finishing his examination, Mr Robertson asked whether it “never occurred” to her to disclose her relationship with Mr Maguire in cabinet meetings.

“No,” Ms Berejiklian responded.

The ICAC has now adjourned.

See how the day unfolded below.

Originally published as Gladys Berejiklian ICAC: Daryl Maguire told ex-premier to get 'private phone'

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