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The Prime Minister of New South Wales struggles to maintain her political career after becoming embroiled in a scandalous political affair.
Gladys Berejiklian’s personal and political life is under the microscope in Australia after revelations she “swallowed” and had a secret affair with a former politician while he was embroiled in a corruption investigation.
News of the relationship came to light during an investigation that focused on her former lover Daryl Maguire, and Berejiklian later told the media that she is living a “personal nightmare.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the unfolding drama:
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Sam Mooy / Getty Images
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian during a press conference at Parliament House after testifying at the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption on 12 October.
Who is Daryl Maguire?
An Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigation is currently underway into Maguire, who is a disgraced former Australian politician.
He is currently facing corruption allegations involving his business dealings between 2012 and 2018, and allegations of misusing his public office to benefit himself and his associates.
During the ICAC hearing on Tuesday, Berejiklian revealed that he had had a “close personal relationship” with Maguire for five years, which ended in August this year.
Maguire had married Maureen Maguire and the couple have two children. However, they have been apart for several years, Nine news reported.
Maguire had served as a member of the New South Wales (NSW) Legislative Assembly representing Wagga Wagga. However, he resigned from the Liberal Party in July 2018 after admitting in a separate corruption investigation that he had requested payment for a property settlement.
That investigation listened to secret recordings of him discussing possible commissions with a local councilor for real estate deals with a wealthy Chinese developer. Nine news reported.
According to the website, you were logged asking what “margin” you would get from the “quick sale” of a site. He then resigned from parliament, forcing a by-election on his seat.
Sam Mooy / Getty Images
The ICAC heard revelations this week that Berejiklian knew Maguire had been receiving commission brokerage from real estate deals since 2014, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The explosive reveal
The news of the secret five-year relationship has surprised many Australians. During the hearing, Berejiklian revealed that his friends, colleagues and even his family were not aware of his existence.
However, it is the fact that the relationship occurred while Maguire was facing corruption allegations that surprised many and even led to calls for Berejiklian’s resignation.
The ICAC heard revelations this week that Berejiklian knew that Maguire had been receiving commission brokerage from real estate deals since 2014, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
During the hearing, text messages and phone calls were intercepted between the two. On several occasions, Maguire had bragged to her about potential trade deals.
During a September 2017 conversation, Maguire bragged that he had “made a deal.” She replied, “I don’t need to know about that”, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
According to the newspaper, the documents showed that an email sent by racing heiress Louise Raedler Waterhouse to Berejiklian was deleted from her personal account before investigators could retrieve it.
Although she was asked to testify at the hearing, Berejiklian herself is not charged with any crime. In fact, as prime minister, she was the one who actually fired Maguire in 2018.
Sam Mooy / Getty Images
The New South Wales prime minister was called to testify at the Independent Commission Against Corruption on Monday, as part of an investigation into former Liberal Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.
The prime minister has also said that he was not aware of a misuse of his position.
During the hearing, he said: “I would never, never turn a blind eye to any responsibility I had to reveal any wrongdoing I saw, or any activity that I thought was not in line with what a Member of Parliament should be doing and I want to stop that very clear “.
Speaking to the Australian media, Berejiklian admitted that he had made mistakes in his personal life, but “he has done nothing wrong.” He also said that he was not considering resigning.
After Tuesday’s hearing, Berejiklian said that it had undoubtedly been “one of the most difficult days of my life”.
“It’s a personal nightmare.”
She told the media that she was human and had “stuck” in her personal life.
A fall from grace
After a year involving the Australian bushfires and the Covid-19 pandemic, Berejiklian has earned an image of strength and leadership.
But secret revelations of the relationship have forced her onto shaky ground, with that image now under threat.
Berejiklian, 50, has not married, has no children and, according to the Daily mail she has done nothing to dispel the myth that she is “married to work.”
Before last year’s state elections, he told the media that his job was basically “24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so I don’t do much else, but I don’t care.”
Rohan Thomson / Getty Images
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the media that Berejiklian had his full support.
Many of her colleagues and key political figures in Australia, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison, supported her after the outbreak of the scandal.
Morrison defended Berejiklian on Tuesday, telling the media that it was “a tremendous premiere” and that he has his “absolute support.” Her party also continues to support her.
Maguire is due to speak at the ICAC hearing on Wednesday.
