ICAC corruption findings on Berejiklian ‘disturbing’

Some of the findings by NSW’s Independent Commission Against Corruption in the Gladys Berejiklian case are disturbing (“Corrupt but not a criminal”, 30/6). First, the length and therefore the cost of the inquiry are unreasonable, some would say unacceptable.

But then to paint the picture of a seriously corrupt minister is, to say the least, astounding. But it is arguable that to use the label of corrupt is stretching a long bow. Given this and previous ICAC cases, there may well be grounds for a big broom to be applied to that organisation.

Michael Schilling, Millswood, SA

“Justice delayed is justice denied.” That adage summarises Chris Merritt’s criticisms of the alleged dilatory proceedings of the NSW ICAC (“ICAC delays ludicrous, but not surprising”, 30/6). Indeed, the 20-month gap between former premier Gladys Berejiklian’s evidence and Thursday’s findings does seem a tad long. And its findings against her – corrupt but not criminal – without the safeguards of a criminal trial support Merritt’s case. Our courts, for example, are normally expected to give decisions within a much shorter time. Yet any judicial procrastination is not confined to the ICAC.

John Kidd, Surfers Paradise, Qld

Gladys Berejiklian is long gone from the premiership and leadership that she probably cherished, and is now suffering humiliation and both public and professional criticism. Yet other persons, with equally, if not more, strong factual evidence of corruption and mismanagement against them still, apparently comfortably, occupy their positions. Go figure. And/or is Australia as wilfully blind and irrational as current American politics?

Peter Wargent, Mosman, NSW

Chris Merritt is spot-on in his assessment. To describe Gladys Berejiklian as “seriously corrupt” is a dreadful descriptor.

Kim Keogh, East Fremantle, WA

Regardless of the ICAC findings against Gladys Berejiklian, history will still show that during the Covid crisis she was the standout premier. My Victorian state government was not. The approach to NSW, which, despite the jibes from other Labor premiers at the time about having a whack-a-mole strategy, was able to successfully manage the northern beaches outbreak in December of 2020 through localised shutdowns, without needing to suspend the normal functioning of an entire city or state and crush both the mental and financial welfare of hundreds of thousands of tax-paying citizens in the process. Gladys Berejiklian spoke to her residents with a conciliatory, almost pastoral tone, imploring fellow members of the national cabinet to not overreach, but to do what was proportionate, with a spirit of compassion. That was the mark of genuine, strong leadership, and her legacy must not be forgotten.

Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn, Vic

That the former premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, has been found “seriously corrupt” by the ICAC but will not face criminal charges contradicts the dictionary’s explanation that corruption is a form of dishonesty or a criminal offence which is undertaken by a person entrusted in a position of authority.

Just saying.

Steve Ngeow, Chatswood, NSW

I commend Friday’s paper for having a good balance in coverage of real Australian issues; we need more of it. The investigation by ICAC has been very well documented, in Friday’s paper there is a full section dedicated to the issue. But what we really need to be focusing on is the cost-of-living crisis. Not only that, it’s getting colder! There are real concerns we need to concentrate on. I especially commend Patrick Commins’ article on the worryingly high jump in retail trade, a very interesting statistic (“Flowers, coffee, food boom as retail trade jumps in May”, 30/6).

Andrea Valentine, Shoalhaven, NSW

Dan Andrews oversees a chaotic and oppressive Covid and is seen as a saviour by his electorate. The subsequent inquiries fail to find fault with anyone in particular. Gladys supervises the biggest state with the largest number of international travel returns with an aplomb and calmness that could only be admired. The result is one is apparently corrupt by association and the other a politically unmovable object.

Murray Horne, Cressy, Vic