Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian launches legal challenge over ICAC corruption findings

The former NSW premier has formally launched a legal challenge against ICAC, which found she engaged in serious corrupt conduct.

Gladys Berejiklian with disgraced MP Daryl Maguire.

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has formally launched a legal challenge against ICAC, which found she engaged in serious corrupt conduct.

The corruption watchdog found in June this year that Ms Berejiklian exercised her power over funding to pet projects of her then-lover, Liberal MP Daryl Maguire, without disclosing her close personal relationship with him.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption found that when she was treasurer she put Mr Maguire’s proposal for funding for the Australian Clay Target Association in his Wagga Wagga electorate before the expenditure review committee, and helped push it through.

Gladys Berejiklian in the hot seat at ICAC when she was being grilled on the details of her relationship with former boyfriend Daryl Maguire.

Ms Berejiklian, who is not being considered for criminal prosecution, has launched an “appeal” in the NSW Court of Appeal, the highest civil court in the state, against ICAC.

The ICAC investigation also found that Ms Berejiklian pushed Mr Maguire’s proposal for money for a local conservatorium of music through official channels, and that this decision was influenced by her secret five-year relationship with the Wagga Wagga MP.

It was found that she had also failed to tell the watchdog of her suspicion that Mr Maguire was engaged in activities that were or might have been corrupt.

Mr Maguire was also found to have engaged in corrupt conduct that involved a breach of public trust.

The appeal is listed for a directions hearing on October 9 in Sydney.

An Optus spokesperson told The Weekend Australian Ms Berejiklian is “focussed on serving our enterprise and business customers”.

“We have no comment to make on this matter which pre-dates her time at Optus,” the spokesperson said.

Ms Berejiklian has been contacted for comment.