Berejiklian on corruption findings

Former New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian's legal challenge against the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) findings of her engaging in 'serious corrupt conduct' has been dismissed by the NSW Supreme Court. The court upheld the ICAC's report, which indicated Berejiklian acted corruptly due to her undisclosed relationship with former MP Daryl Maguire while approving significant funding allocations for his electorate. Chief Justice Andrew Bell and Justice Anthony Meagher ruled that the findings were valid, despite Justice Julie Ward expressing concerns about the authority of the former assistant commissioner who prepared the report. Berejiklian's defense claimed the ICAC findings were invalid as they were made after the assistant commissioner's term ended, but the court found this argument unconvincing. The ruling represents a significant setback for Berejiklian, who has consistently denied wrongdoing and defended her actions as serving the public interest. She resigned from her position in 2021 amid the investigation and later left politics altogether.