Daryl Maguire and Gladys Berejiklian to wait even longer

A corruption inquiry examining the conduct of former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire will hand down its preliminary submissions next year.

Former Liberal MP Daryl Maguire with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

A corruption inquiry examining the conduct of former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire will hand down its preliminary submissions next year — a delay that has been attributed to further inquiries needing to be undertaken before the inves­tigation formally concludes.

The submissions, which could have significant implications for NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s leadership, were meant to be provided by the Independent Commission Against Corruption to witnesses on ­December 7.

Three days prior to that deadline, ICAC said the submissions would be delayed, without providing reasons. It issued a new statement on Friday attributing the delay to further inquiries.

“The commission has decided to place the current submission process on hold pending the completion of some further investigative steps,” it said. “Further information with respect to a timetable for submissions will be provided in the new year.”

Ms Berejiklian was a witness to the inquiry and faced a full day’s examination over her personal relationship with Mr Maguire, which began around 2013 or 2014 and was not disclosed in the lead-up to the 2019 election.

By then she had sacked Mr Maguire from the Liberal Party over corruption allegations and accused him of betraying the community. Despite this, their relationship continued in secret for another two years.

Ms Berejiklian has faced increasing calls from all sides to step aside as leader if ICAC hands down any adverse findings over her evidence.

While the submissions will be the subject of a non-publication order, some MPs have called on the Premier to seek an exemption to level with the public and make any findings made against her known to the community.

“The Premier should help put to rest the real concerns arising out of her relationship with Daryl Maguire by publicly confirming that she is not the subject of any negative findings or comments,” Liberal MP Matthew Mason-Cox said this month.

“However, should the Premier be the subject of any negative findings or comments, then naturall­y it would be her duty to immediately step aside to await ICAC’s final report next year.”