Former NSW treasurer Matt Kean lashes ‘botched’ Gladys Berejiklian ICAC probe

A senior Liberal and ally of Gladys Berejiklian has lashed the anti-corruption watchdog for what he believes was a “botched” inquiry into the former premier.

Former NSW treasurer Matt Kean has lashed a bombshell corruption watchdog probe into Gladys Berejiklian, claiming the investigation against the Liberal leader was “botched” and calling for reform.

Ms Berejiklian was found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct and to have breached the public’s trust through her secret relationship with ex-MP Daryl Maguire.

The long-awaited Independent Commission Against Corruptions' findings were handed down on Thursday, ending a wait of almost two years for a ruling on the former premier’s conduct.

But Mr Kean said it shouldn’t have taken the commission so long to rule the former premier should have declared she had a secret boyfriend.

“I think our think our integrity body is too important and has such an important role in our democracy but they can’t be botching these processes,” he told Sky News on Sunday.

The longtime Berejiklian ally took aim at the ICAC over its findings. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“They have real implications not only on individuals, but on our system of democracy,” he told Sky News on Sunday.

He criticised the anti-corruption watchdog for partaking in an “unbecoming spectacle” of announcing the findings as if they were “announcing a Taylor Swift concert” and called for reform to “strengthen our integrity agencies”.

The report found Ms Berejiklian failed in her ministerial duties by not reporting “suspicions” of Mr Maguire’s corrupt behaviour.

Mr Kean, a senior Liberal and ally of Ms Berejiklian, maintained he believed the former premier’s evidence given at the ICAC inquiry, and questioned whether her actions met the threshold of corruption.

“ICAC has formed the view that’s the case and they’ve basically said that Gladys not disclosing the secret relationship was akin to Eddie Obeid lining his pockets with millions of millions of dollars. I just don’t think that passes the pub test,” he said.

Ms Berejiklian was found to have acted corruptly but he long-awaited report. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

In a brief statement released on Thursday, Ms Berejiklian left the door open to a legal challenge to ICAC’s findings, saying: “The report is currently being examined by my legal team.”

When asked about the anti-corruption watchdog’s findings, federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton reiterated his view that a judge and a jury should be the one tasked with a finding of serious corruption.

“That is a very serious allegation to make against any individual, and particularly somebody who is as esteemed as Gladys and somebody who has served her state with great distinction,” he told Sky News.

“That‘s what causes me most concern. I just think if matters are to be tested, they’d be tested in a court of law.

“You can't just go out there and besmirch somebody’s character by making this sort of serious allegation.”