The disgraced secret lover of outgoing NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has been spotted carrying a rifle and puffing on a cigarette just one day after she was forced to resign over their controversial relationship and a subsequent corruption scandal.
Daryl Maguire was photographed on Saturday in a yellow cap and flannelette shirt, carrying a gun and smoking on his property in Wagga Wagga, NSW.
The 62-year-old was the Liberal MP for the area from 1999 until he quit under a corruption cloud in 2018. He is still under investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Ms Berejiklian was forced to resign on Friday after revelations the watchdog was also investigating if she encouraged or allowed corrupt conduct by her secret boyfriend of five years and their role in multi-million dollar government grants to a gun club and conservatorium of music in his electorate.
The 51-year-old, who was premier for four years, has gone to ground since her resignation. She has not been seen at her home or her parents’ home since, and is believed to be in hiding with her new beau and high-profile barrister Arthur Moses.
After resigning, she left parliament in a white Jeep, pulling up to her Northbridge home on Sydney’s north shore, before deciding to leave again.
Daryl Maguire was photographed on Saturday carrying a rifle just a day after his former lover Gladys Berejiklian was forced to resign as NSW premier
Secret affair: Ms Berejiklian and her clandestine lover Mr Maguire (pictured during a visit to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital) had a secret five-year relationship
Mr Maguire was seen Saturday puffing on a cigarette on his property in Wagga Wagga, NSW after Ms Berejiklian’s shock departure
Ms Berejiklian stepped down as both NSW premier and Liberal MP for Willoughby, and will leave politics for good as soon as a byelection can take place after Sydney’s Covid-19 lockdown.
‘I’ve had to make a difficult decision overnight,’ Ms Berejiklian said as she hastily read a prepared statement in front of the cameras on Friday before refusing to take questions.
‘It pains me to announce that I have no option but to resign from the Office of Premier.’
Ms Berejiklian, 51, shocked the nation on Friday, resigning as a result of an ICAC inquiry into whether she encouraged or allowed corrupt conduct by Mr Maguire
The ICAC is investigating whether Ms Berejiklian breached public trust by not reporting any suspicion of corrupt conduct in particular regards to two government grants handed out in Mr Maguire’s electorate.
The Australian Clay Target Association received $5.5million from the Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund in 2017 while the Riverina Conservatorium of Music was handed $20million to build a new 1,000-seat state-of-the-art facility.
Mr Maguire had initially in 2016 written to Ms Berejiklian about the project – at a time when the pair were in a relationship and she was the NSW treasurer.
The Australian Clay Target Association project was knocked back in 2016 as it failed a cost-benefit analysis, recording a score of 0.88 – lower than the minimum score of above 1.00.
It was reassessed later in 2017 after a new business case was put forward by consultants engaged by the Department of Industry, with more details on anticipated interstate and international visitors.
Mr Maguire’s outdoor shed, which appears to house a tractor and ute, is spotted on his property on Saturday
Mr Maguire is under investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) after admitting to financially benefitting from his former job as an MP
His car was parked at his Wagga Wagga property on Saturday just one day after Gladys Berejiklian resigned from NSW’s top job
Mr Maguire’s house in Wagga Wagga, the electorate he served as an MP in when he was brought before ICAC
In August, it emerged that Ms Berejiklian had showed ‘interest’ in the proposed $5.5million grant for the gun club, but the premier insisted she’d done nothing wrong.
Documents obtained by NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge suggested Ms Berejiklian had made a ‘request’ to the department’s Investment Appraisal Unit to carry out that business case reassessment.
That second business case received a score of 1.10 over the 25-year assessment period, and was approved.
The ICAC is also investigating whether Ms Berejiklian had a conflict of interest in connection with grant funding to the Australian Clay Target Association in Wagga Wagga (pictured)
Another document – an email written by then Regional NSW deputy secretary Gary Barnes – notes Ms Berejiklian’s ‘interest’ in the project.
‘If you want proof this $5.5million grant was about politics not merit, then you can always check out the initial business case assessment. It showed the project was a no-go,’ Mr Shoebridge said.
Ms Berejiklian denied all wrongdoing, saying the correct processes were followed.
The ICAC will hold a public inquiry on the matter for about 10 days from October 18, overseen by Assistant Commissioner Ruth McColl SC.
Timeline of Gladys Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire’s dealings with ICAC:
2015 – Gladys Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire commence close personal friendship. She is appointed NSW treasurer.
2017 – Ms Berejiklian made NSW Premier. She is overheard in a recorded conversation saying ‘I didn’t need to know’ to Mr Maguire about his financial dealings relating to Badgerys Creek airport and a land deal that he would financially benefit from.
13 July 2018 – Mr Maguire resigns from the Liberal Party after admitting that he sought payment over a Chinese property deal at corruption inquiry. Ms Berejiklian understood to have encouraged this.
August 2018 – Mr Maguire resigns from NSW Parliament.
September 2020 – ICAC discloses it has been investigating Mr Maguire for possible misuse of status as an MP. Ms Berejiklian breaks off relationship with him.
October 2020 – Ms Berejiklian admits at ICAC she was in an intimate relationship with Mr Maguire but denies knowledge of any improper dealings. Mr Maguire admits having used his position as an MP for financial gain. She survives a no-confidence motion.
November 2020 – Ms Berejiklian referred to corruption watchdog for failing to report her relationship with Mr Maguire.
December 2020 – Revealed that Ms Berejiklian had oversight of program which granted $5.5million to Australian Clay Target Association for a clubhouse and convention centre in Wagga Wagga. Mr Maguire later sought to profit from it.
March 2021 – Mr Maguire referred by ICAC to the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions for possible charges.
June 2021 – Ms Berejiklian’s new partner is Arthurs Moses, her legal counsel during corruption hearings into Mr Maguire.
1 October 2021 – ICAC announces an inquiry into the relationship. Ms Berejiklian resigns.
Mr Maguire had previously been accused of abusing his public office after admitting to being involved in a cash-for-visa scheme and seeking secret commissions for brokering property deals.
Ms Berejiklian was placed under a microscope when her secret relationship with the disgraced MP was outed last October when she first appeared before ICAC.
She revealed she had a ‘personal attachment’ to Mr Maguire after working together for more than 15 years and said their relationship began in 2015.
‘I would like to state at the outset Mr Maguire was a colleague of 15 years, he was someone that I trusted,’ she said.
‘That developed into a close personal relationship.’
An intercepted phone call between Ms Berejiklian and Mr Maguire was played to the commission, revealing their close relationship.
Planning minister Rob Stokes (pictured) has put his hat in the ring for NSW’s top job
Other potential contenders include Environment Minister Matt Kean, Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres (right), Transport Minister Andrew Constance and Attorney-General Mark Speakman
The private conversation was about Mr Maguire’s first trip to China.
Ms Berejiklian could be heard saying former chief-of-staff Sarah Cruickshank had concerns about his travel.
‘Alright babe, what do you think?’ Mr Maguire said.
Ms Berejiklian replied: ‘I just got home, did Sarah ring you from my office?’
Mr Maguire was concerned.
‘No why?’ he replied.
‘She sent me a text, when she has to ring a member of Parliament she lets me know.
‘They seem to think it’s in your electorate. I didn’t say anything, It’s none of my business, I’m just letting you know.’
Mr Maguire went on to use ‘offensive language’ to explain why he was going to China.
‘I will [interfere]… these bureaucrats don’t care… they’re shaking hands, they are sucking people’s d***s and they are turning up to everything and they do nothing,’ he said.
ICAC’s statement on its investigation into Gladys Berejiklian
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will hold a further public inquiry in Operation Keppel from 10:00 am on Monday 18 October 2021.
The Commission is investigating whether, between 2012 and 2018, the Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP engaged in conduct that:
- Constituted or involved a breach of public trust by exercising public functions in circumstances where she was in a position of conflict between her public duties and her private interest as a person who was in a personal relationship with the then NSW Member of Parliament, Mr Daryl Maguire, in connection with: grant funding promised and/or awarded to the Australian Clay Target Association Inc in 2016/2017; and grant funding promised and/or awarded to the Riverina Conservatorium of Music in Wagga Wagga in 2018; and/or
- constituted or involved the partial exercise of any of her official functions, in connection with: grant funding promised and/or awarded to the Australian Clay Target Association Inc in 2016/2017; grant funding promised and/or awarded to the Riverina Conservatorium of Music in Wagga Wagga in 2018; and/or
- constituted or involved the dishonest or partial exercise of any of her official functions and/or a breach of public trust by refusing to exercise her duty pursuant to section 11 of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 to report any matter that she suspected on reasonable grounds concerned or may concern corrupt conduct in relation to the conduct of Mr Daryl Maguire; and/or
- was liable to allow or encourage the occurrence of corrupt conduct by Mr Maguire.
The Commission is also investigating whether, between 2012 and August 2018, Mr Maguire engaged in conduct that involved a breach of public trust by using his public office, involving his duties as a member of the NSW Parliament, and the use of parliamentary resources, to improperly gain a benefit for himself, G8wayInternational/G8wayInternational Pty Ltd and associated persons.
Ms Berejiklian has since entered into a relationship with Mr Moses with her sister posting a picture of the couple on Instagram in which she described the lawyer as ‘Gladys’ boo’.
A spokesperson for Ms Berejiklian said the pair had ‘begun spending private time together’ but declined to comment further.
Mr Moses represented his girlfriend when she faced ICAC in October last year for the first time but won’t be representing her in the latest fight.
It’s unclear when the pair began their romance but rumours had swirled in legal and political circles after the couple were spotted sharing a meal at a cafe.
Supporters of Ms Berejiklian have been leaving her tributes since her shock resignation
Flowers were left for Ms Berejiklian outside her Northbridge home
Dozens of tributes have been left outside her Northbridge electorate office
Mr Moses was the president of the NSW Bar Association and of the Law Council of Australia.
He was married to lawyer Sylvia Moses, with whom he shares a son, Nicholas.
The NSW Liberals will elect a new leader on Tuesday with frontrunner Treasurer Dominic Perrottet saying he will talk to his family and colleagues over the weekend before deciding whether to put his hand up.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes has declared he will run and Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres will also potentially step forward as a contender.
‘I am extremely confident that whoever succeeds me will be more than capable to continue this job. Please give them your trust and confidence,’ Ms Berejiklian said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison led the tributes on Friday after Ms Berejiklian’s rousing speech lauding her ‘heroic’ qualities and saying she was a ‘dear friend’ and trusted by the community.
Gladys Berejiklian’s relationship with high-profile barrister Arthur Moses was confirmed through an Instagram post shared by her sister
Even state Opposition Leader Chris Minns on Saturday thanked the premier, declining to sink the boot into the Liberal party over her demise.
‘I cannot fault her dedication and hard work on behalf of the people of NSW, particularly over the last 15 weeks,’ he said.
Supportive constituents gathered outside her Northbridge home with flowers and balloons while others put up handmade signs at her office reading ‘We love Gladys’ and ‘Long live Gladys’.
One supporter standing outside the outgoing premier’s Willoughby electorate office on Friday told Sky News: ‘I’m devastated to be honest. It makes me want to cry. She’s led us through a really difficult time.
‘We’re in a global pandemic and she’s led us with strength and integrity and I’m devastated that’s she gone.’
Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation statement in full
I have had to make an extremely difficult decision overnight, but one which I feel obliged to do because of the love and respect that I have for the people of New South Wales and the high regard which I have for the office of Premier.
I was advised late yesterday afternoon the Independent Commission Against Corruption would today release a public statement in which it will state it is investigating allegations made about me concerning matters relating to the former member for Wagga Wagga.
As it will be clear from the ICAC statement, the issues which it is investigating are historic matters that have already been the subject of numerous attacks on me by political opponents during the last 12 months.
Many of the matters were the subject of questions I was asked by the opposition while appearing before an estimates committee hearing earlier this year. I want to be very clear, in all the decisions I have ever made as a Minister or as Premier for New South Wales, my first consideration has always been the well-being and welfare of the people of this state.
I state categorically, I have always acted with the highest level of integrity. History will demonstrate that I have always executed my duties with the highest degree of integrity for the benefit of the people of NSW who I have had the privilege to serve.
As the leader of the New South Wales Government, I have expected the highest of standards of myself and my colleagues. I have made it clear on numerous occasions that if any of my ministers were the subject of allegations being investigated by an integrity agency or law-enforcement, then he or she should stand aside during the course of the investigation until their name was cleared. The reason for my stance was not to have made any presumptions as to their conduct, but rather to maintain the integrity of the public office which was held whilst an investigation was completed. That same standard must apply to me as Premier.
However, standing aside is not an option for me as the Premier of New South Wales. The people of New South Wales need certainty as to who their leader is during these challenging times of the pandemic. I cannot predict how long it will take the ICAC to complete this investigation, let alone deliver a report, in circumstances where I was first called to give evidence at a public hearing nearly 12 months ago. Therefore, it pains me to announce that I have no option but to resign the office of Premier. My resignation will take effect as soon as the New South Wales liberal party can elect a new Parliamentary leader.
In order to allow the new leader and government a fresh start, I will also resign from the New South Wales Parliament once I have consulted the electoral commission on appropriate timing for a by-election given the COVID restrictions.
My resignation as Premier could not happen at a worse time, but the timing is completely outside of my control as the ICAC has chosen to take this action during the most challenging weeks of the most challenging times in the history of NSW.
That is the ICAC’s prerogative. Resigning at this time is against every instinct in my being and something which I do not want to do, I love my job, and serving the community, but I have been given no option following the statement issued.
To continue as Premier would disrupt the State Government during a time when our entire attention should be focused on the challenges confronting New South Wales. I do not want to be a distraction from what should be the focus of the state government during this pandemic, which is the well-being of our citizens.
Notwithstanding the challenges of the last few years and few months in particular, I have never felt stronger, nor more confident in my leadership. I have absolutely no regrets during my time in public life. At times we all stumble, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start again stronger and wiser than before. I have done this many times, as we all have.
My only regret will be not to be able to finish the job to ensure the people of New South Wales transition to living freely with COVID.
However, I am extremely confident that whoever succeeds me will be more than capable of continuing this job. Please give them your trust and confidence. We will come through this period stronger, more resilient, and appreciating what really matters in life.
I feel strong, energised and optimistic about the future of this great state.
I want to thank the thousands of our frontline heroes who have kept us safe and kept us going during the darkest days in our state history. I owe you a debt of gratitude. Nothing that we can say or do will be able to demonstrate the significance of what you have done.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Liberal Party to whom I owe my career, the people of the electorate of Willoughby who have elected me five times to be their member of Parliament, my Parliamentary colleagues for their support and hard work, my outstanding and loyal staff past and present, and all the professional public servants with whom I have worked.
I also want to thank my family and friends who have provided me with unconditional support and understanding when I have not been as present due to my responsibilities.
Most importantly I want to thank you, the people of New South Wales. When the chips were down in the past years, in particular during the drought, bushfires and then COVID, we stood alongside each other. We have grieved and supported each other during these tragedies. I hope you know that you will remain foremost in my thoughts. The courage that you display in your lives every day has inspired me every step of the way. The courage and the support you have shown me has humbled me and made me a better leader and a better person. Serving you has been the greatest privilege of my life. Please know that every day I gave it my all and worked as hard as I could to create a better future for our state and its people.
I truly believe that New South Wales is a place where every person, irrespective of their background and circumstances has the opportunity to be their best, to make a difference.
So as I address you for the final time as your Premier, please stay the course and stay safe. We will be shortly out of this lockdown and be able to get on with our lives. NSW and its people will come out of this lockdown stronger, and together we will build a future full of optimism and hope.
Finally, thank you again for giving me the honour of being your Premier.
