Liberals may not like the outcome for Saint Gladys, but they should remember what voters expect

Memories are short for many in the NSW Liberal Party – notably Gladys Berejiklian’s chief spear thrower Matt Kean. Amid the furious attacks on the state’s anti-corruption agency for daring to find Berejiklian corrupt but not a criminal, the outcome of the federal election is clearly forgotten.

Voters in heartland federal Liberal seats – including those Sydney seats Kean would have his eye on if he wants to pursue a career in Canberra – savaged the Coalition for its refusal to acknowledge that integrity in government matters deeply to taxpayers.

Gladys Berejiklian leaves for work the day after the ICAC found she engaged in serious corrupt conduct.Credit: Rhett Wyman

The teal wave swept in and claimed the political lives of Liberals – in part – because Scott Morrison refused to back a federal integrity body. Morrison’s position proved grossly misguided and hugely costly, including for the likes of Kean’s moderate mate Trent Zimmerman, who was booted from his seat by a teal candidate.

Yet on the back of a serious corrupt conduct finding against Berejiklian, Liberals (now the party of opposition across mainland Australia) have turned on the Independent Commission Against Corruption, attacking it for not doing something the agency is not required to do.

The ICAC investigates corruption, it does not prosecute criminals.

The idea that ICAC has failed because it did not conclude that Berejiklian should be pursued by prosecutors for criminal charges shows a lack of understanding of the role the anti-corruption agency and the varying definitions of corruption.

It also fails to acknowledge that voters expect certain standards from their elected officials. The Coalition’s federal election whitewash last year made that expectation abundantly clear.

The ICAC derives its powers from the ICAC Act, which defines corruption and sets the standards that we expect from our politicians. If Kean and others dislike the act, they could attempt to change it, although that would require them to push for less scrutiny of MPs. Good luck with that.

Corruption is not just about money being handed over in brown paper bags, as juicy as that is. Berejiklian’s former boyfriend, the now disgraced ex-MP for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire, fits more closely into that stereotypical definition because he was trying to use his position to make money.

Matt Kean has shown a lack of understanding about the ICAC’s role in his defence of Gladys Berejiklian.Credit: Jessica Hromas

Berejiklian, however, turned a blind eye to possible corruption and also helped her secret love interest secure funding for his pet projects. That is an obvious misuse of her public position.

In ignoring the obvious warning signs that Maguire was up to no good, Berejiklian enabled him to abuse his position as an elected member of parliament. She may not be facing charges but her ‘see no evil, hear no evil’ approach ensured one of them now is, and that’s Maguire.

If Berejiklian had acted differently, Maguire may not be facing criminal charges either.

Kean, along with other senior party members such as Natalie Ward and James Griffin, are loyal Liberal warriors who have every right to defend their friend and former boss. Kean, rightly, points out that Berejiklian was loved by many, and she handled the pandemic and bushfires competently.

The Liberal powerbroker also points out that the ICAC was far too slow in delivering its report. No one disputes that. The ICAC will be forced to give detailed explanations as to why.

However, the NSW Liberals cannot cry foul simply because they dislike the outcome of an inquiry that would not have existed if Berejiklian had followed the rules.

Criticise ICAC for its extreme tardiness all you like, but the Liberals should remember that the voters care about integrity in government and will move on politicians who do not.

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