Mike Baird, Stuart Ayres to give evidence at ICAC inquiry into Gladys Berejiklian

Ex-NSW premier Mike Baird and deputy Liberal leader Stuart Ayres are on the witness list for ICAC’s inquiry into Gladys Berejiklian.

Former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian with Mike Baird at a Liberal Party launch in 2019. Picture: Chris Pavlich

Deputy NSW Liberal leader Stuart Ayres will give evidence at a NSW corruption inquiry which is examining the conduct of former premier Gladys Berejiklian and matters which led to her resignation a fortnight ago.

Former premier Mike Baird will also be called to give evidence at the Independent Commission Against Corruption, which issued a witness list for its inquiry – codenamed Operation Keppel – on Wednesday afternoon.

Deputy NSW Liberal leader Stuart Ayres. Picture: Dominic Lorrimer

Operation Keppel held its first round of public hearings in 2020 into former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire and heard evidence that raised questions about the conduct of Ms Berejiklian.

The ICAC announced earlier this month that Ms Berejikilian had become an investigative target of its inquiries, leading her to resign as premier and announce her exit from parliament.

Neither Mr Maguire nor Ms Berejiklian – who were revealed during the inquiry to be in a secret relationship for a number of years – are slated to give evidence next week.

Mr Baird and his former chief of staff Nigel Blunden will be called to give evidence on Wednesday while Mr Ayres will give evidence on Friday.

Other witnesses will include Michael Toohey, Director at the Office of Sport, and Paul Doorn, the CEO of Venues NSW.

The inquiry is examining numerous allegations concerning Ms Berejiklian, including potential conflicts of interest relating to funding grants that were awarded to entities in Mr Maguire’s electorate.