Berejiklian inquiry LIVE updates: Former NSW premier’s chief of staff Sarah Cruickshank tells ICAC she knew of ‘historical’ relationship with Daryl Maguire years ago

The ICAC is hearing today from three former senior staffers in Gladys Berejiklian’s office. They are not accused of wrongdoing.Ex chief of staff ‘didn’t get the sense it was a full-blown relationship’ between Berejiklian and Maguire

The ICAC heard in October last year that the relationship between Ms Berejiklian and Mr Maguire in fact started in 2015 and didn’t end until sometime in 2018. Ms Cruickshank said she was “surprised” when she heard this evidence. Ms Cruickshank said today that she can’t recall what she meant by that precise expression but said “it’s a different level of political controversy”. A current relationship “would then have become a focus” in light of the scandal surrounding Mr Maguire at the time.

She also couldn’t remember why she used an exclamation mark but agreed “it could well have been surprise on my part that I was getting the email”.As we have noted previously, former NSW Liberal MP Daryl Maguire was forced to quit politics in July 2018 after giving evidence at an earlier ICAC inquiry. This triggered a by-election in Wagga Wagga.

The ICAC has previously heard that the state government’s $20 million funding commitment, which followed a $10 million grant for the conservatorium to relocate its premises, was in the nature of a “reservation” of funds. This meant it wasn’t guaranteed. Ms Berejiklian said in the statement on July 15 that she was “shocked by the events of Friday and I spoke to Mr Maguire late that afternoon to express in the strongest possible terms my deep disappointment”.

Ms Cruickshank said that staff were told after Mr Maguire’s appearance at the ICAC in 2018 that if they had “things to report about Mr Maguire they should”. Under recommendations, the department said: “Note that DPC has been informed that a Ministerial advisor holds information that may be relevant to [the earlier inquiry] ... and that the Secretary of DPC will provide that information to ICAC.”Berejiklian told chief of staff Sarah Cruickshank years ago about ‘historical’ relationship with Maguire

Ms Cruickshank said Ms Berejiklian was concerned that people might have seen her out with Mr Maguire and her office might receive questions from the media about whether the pair were close or friends.

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Why Christian Porter's mystery legal donations are different to Sarah Hanson-Young'sThe Greens senator received online donations to fund a legal case, while the Liberal MP's legal bills were also covered by anonymous donors. Here's why experts say the cases are different. Who cares Porter is compromised until the source of that money is disclosed Total bs
Source: SBSNews - 🏆 3. / 89 Read more »

‘We would have everything differently’: Barilaro comments on Berejiklian’s secret relationshipTop government ministers would have done “everything differently” if they had known Gladys Berejiklian was in a relationship with an MP seeking a multimillion dollar grant, the former Deputy Premier has revealed. JohnBarilaroMP I’m sure of that much JohnBarilaroMP 😬 This will not end well JohnBarilaroMP As Baird said she should have disclosed the relationship
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »

Berejiklian should have declared her relationship, Barilaro tells ICACFormer deputy premier John Barilaro has told a corruption inquiry he and his colleagues declared conflicts of interest for far lesser relationships than that of former premier Gladys Berejiklian and disgraced ex-MP Daryl Maguire.
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

Gladys’ ex a ‘pain in the arse’: BarilaroJohn Barilaro has told corruption investigators a revelation about Gladys Berejiklian came as a ‘shock’ to everybody in parliament, saying ‘no one guessed it’. Translated: It was a shock as no one ever thought she'd be caught! But why would they have given 5.5 million of our money to a obscure clay pidgeon club just because the member wanted it. They are all to blame. They would have known this was an extraordinary request. But Berejiklian couldn't possibly find an excuse. Bring back Gladys : we are constructing a giant GALLOWS outside Parliament House now & at the end of OCT 2021 we will see it being completed for immediate use.
Source: newscomauHQ - 🏆 9. / 77 Read more »

WATCH LIVE: Barilaro fronts ICAC inquiry into BerejiklianThe NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry into Gladys Berejiklian enters its second week on Monday, with former Deputy Premier John Barilaro to appear. Join Sky News Australia to watch live from 10am. Bruz Criminals the lot of them
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »

Former deputy premier John Barilaro gives evidence to ICACMr Barilaro told the public hearing the former premier's secret lover Daryl Maguire was a 'pain in the arse' when it came to advocating for his electorate. 9News
Source: 9NewsAUS - 🏆 10. / 72 Read more »