From one scandal to the next for Gladys Berejiklian

The NSW government members who have been involved in scandals during Gladys Berejiklian’s current term.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: Dylan Coker

John Sidoti

● September 17, 2019: NSW Sports Minister John Sidoti steps aside from cabinet over allegations of corruption, requiring an ICAC investigation into purchases of land near the North West Metro and Western Metro projects.
● March 3, 2021: After 18 months of preliminary investigations, Sidoti is forced to go to the crossbench, after the corruption watchdog announces a public inquiry into whether he misused his position as MP by seeking to pressure councillors in the City of Canada Bay into rezoning blocks where his family owned property. The corruption watchdog also examines whether Mr Sidoti failed to disclose financial interests.
● April 2021: Sidoti takes the stand at ICAC inquiry and denies all allegations.

Daryl Maguire

● July 2018: Premier Gladys Berejiklian sacks the Wagga Wagga MP after the Operation Dasha probe reveals he accepted a commission from a property development company.
● October 2020: During an ICAC hearing Ms Berejiklian reveals she had a “close personal relationship” with the disgraced MP for five years.
● March 2021: Reports the former Liberal MP could face criminal charges for giving misleading evidence to ICAC.

Michael Johnsen

● March 24, 2021: Nationals MP Michael Johnsen accused of raping a sex worker in the Blue Mountains in 2016, forcing him to quit and move to the cross bench. It is claimed the Upper Hunter MP reportedly sent a video of himself masturbating to the sex worker he allegedly raped. NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro calls on him to resign from parliament, labelling his position “untenable”.

Text messages between Mr Johnsen and the alleged victim included an offer for $1000 from the Upper Hunter MP to attend NSW parliament for sex.

Mr Johnsen categorically denies the allegations and insists any police investigation will find him the innocent party. “I have voluntarily spoken with NSW police and I have and will continue to fully co-operate with their inquiries,” he says in a statement on March 24.

Ms Berejiklian says she is shocked there has been a NSW Police investigation for six months of which she was unaware. Asks all her ministers to inform her if they are being investigated.
● March 31, 2021: Johnsen resigns from parliament, causing by-election in Upper Hunter, to be held on May 22.

Gareth Ward

● May 13, 2021: NSW Police confirm that NSW Families Minister Gareth Ward is being investigated by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad over allegations of “sexual violence related offences” dating back to 2013.

Police say they have formed a strike force to investigate the allegations against the 39-year-old minister. Ward says he was only made aware of the investigation by a journalist and has not been contacted by police. Denies any wrongdoing but announces he will stand aside as a minister and remove himself from the Liberal Party room.

Ms Berejiklian accepts the decision, and appoints Attorney-General Mark Speakman to assume Mr Ward’s portfolio responsibilities.