NSW ICAC probe hits cabinet heights

A corruption inquiry into former NSW MP Daryl Maguire has expanded to the top of Gladys Berejiklian’s cabinet.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro has received a section 22 notice from the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption. Picture: David Swift

A corruption inquiry into former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire has expanded to the highest levels of Gladys Berejiklian’s cabinet, with her Deputy Premier and Treasurer both ordered to surrender documents as part of ongoing inquiries into the MP’s activities while in parliament.

The Australian can reveal that John Barilaro and Dominic Perrottet have both received section 22 notices from the Independent Commission Against Corruption compelling them to hand over items that might assist the agency with its investigation.

The move to seek documents from top-ranking ministers marks a new phase in ICAC’s investi­gation, indicating a focus on decisions made by cabinet ministers that could have ultimately allowed Mr Maguire to secure funding grants and other benefits.

It also indicates the investi­gation is far from complete and unlikely to conclude this year, as had been expected.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet. Picture: Christian Gilles

Neither Mr Barilaro nor Mr Perrottet is under investigation and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on their part, only that ICAC is seeking paperwork from across the government.

Both men’s offices declined to comment, while an ICAC spokeswoman said: “The commission has no comment.”

The office of a third cabinet member, Environment Minister Matt Kean, is also understood to have been served with papers by ICAC for the same purpose.

Mr Kean’s spokesman declined to comment when contacted on Thursday. Mr Kean, too, is not under investigation.

A source said it was likely the ministers were being asked to produce documents relating to decisions or meetings they had attended, such as the expenditure review committee, where funding was granted to Mr Maguire’s ­electorate.

This includes a $5.5 million grant procured for the Australian Clay Target ­Association headquarters in 2017, an entity located within Mr Maguire’s electorate.

The former Wagga Wagga MP also received six grants totalling $40,000 from a discretionary fund controlled by the Premier.

Ms Berejiklian’s office has previously defended the distribution of those grants and said on several occasions that she is not under investigation by ICAC.

Former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire. Picture: Dylan Robinson

The Australian revealed on Monday that ICAC had been distributing section 22 orders across the NSW government, including to several staff working within Ms Berejiklian’s office and also high-ranking officials within the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

The section 22 orders were served within weeks of ICAC investigators attending NSW parliament to meet an MP for lengthy discussions relating to their inquiries into Mr Maguire.

The MP declined to comment when contacted, citing the sensitivity of the matter.

Known as Operation Keppell, the inquiry began public hearings last year during which Mr Maguire admitted to misconduct in public office. This included secretly lobbying on behalf of developers and running a cash-for-visa scheme in which Australian employers would earn a subsidy for pretending to employ Chinese nationals, allowing them to get a visa.

Investigators are understood to be examining lines of inquiry arising out of several parliamentary orders for papers that have forced the Berejiklian government to hand over boxes of documents relating to Mr Maguire’s private benefits, his travel itineraries and dealings with the Parramatta Light Rail project.

Documents have also been produced in relation to land rezonings around the M9 Outer Sydney Orbital Network.

NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean is also understood to have been served with ICAC papers. Picture: John Feder