The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) found Premier Berejiklian breached public trust in 2016, 2017 and 2018, including over grant funding, including $5.5 million for gun club project in Wagga Wagga.<\/span><\/p>\n The ICAC found Berejiklian and former Wagga Wagga MP Darryl Maguire – who were in a long-time secret relationship – both engaged in \u201cserious corrupt conduct\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n Berejiklian resigned as NSW premier over the matter in October 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n The NSW Court of Appeal this morning refused Berejiklian\u2019s year-long bid to have the ICAC\u2019s findings against her overturned, dismissing the case with costs.<\/span><\/p>\n She had applied to the Court of Appeal for a judicial review of the ICAC\u2019s findings, which the court has rejected.<\/span><\/p>\n Berejiklian announced she would take legal action after the ICAC delivered its report in June last year<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Months after departing as NSW Premier \u2014 and before the ICAC investigation was complete \u2014 Berejiklian was appointed to a specially created senior executive role at Optus, by the telco\u2019s since ousted CEO Kelly Bayer-Rosmarin.<\/span><\/p>\n The Klaxon has asked both Optus chair Paul O\u2019Sullivan and interim CEO Michael Venter, Bayer-Rosmarin\u2019s replacement, whether Berejiklian will remain at the telco giant in her senior executive role.<\/span><\/p>\n We have also asked whether Berejiklian has the \u201cfull support\u201d of both men.<\/span><\/p>\n As previously reported<\/a><\/span>, Optus owner Singtel \u2014 which is owned by the Singaporean Government \u2014 states it has \u201czero tolerance\u201d for \u201ccorruption in any form\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Singtel Group <\/span>Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy<\/span><\/a><\/span>, which applies to Singtel and \u201ceach of its subsidiaries\u201d says corruption \u201cin any form\u201d will not be tolerated.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSingtel adopts a zero tolerance approach to bribery and corruption of any form,\u201d it states<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n In the months before resigning as NSW Premier Berejiklian ran a campaign, supported by a large part of the commercial media, pushing the false narrative that she had been attacked by the ICAC because of her choice in Maguire as a partner – rather than because she had been involved in corruption.<\/span><\/p>\n The ABC reports<\/span><\/a> Ms Berejiklian\u2019s lawyers highlighted Mr Maguire\u2019s reputation as a \u201cserial pest\u201d in lobbying government members on behalf of his electorate, which was raised during the ICAC public hearings.<\/span><\/p>\n Barrister representing the ICAC, Stephen Free SC, said Maguire may have been a serial pest in lobbying but when it came to Berejiklian, Maguire was a \u201cspecial kind of pest\u201d and had taken advantage of a specific kind of relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat was obviously in a radically different category from any other relationship between members of a government,\u201d Free reportedly told the court.<\/span><\/p>\n To date Berejiklian has made no apology.<\/span><\/p>\n Anthony Klan – Source<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n More to come\u2026 <\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/The-Klaxon-Zero-tolerance-corruption.jpg?resize=800%2C710&ssl=1\")
Optus owners Singtel <\/span>says it has \u201czero tolerance\u201d for corruption<\/span><\/a>. Source:<\/span> <\/span><\/span>The Klaxon<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cBerejiklian ran a false campaign that she had been targeted over her choice of partner\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nBerejiklian has repeatedly refused to comment when contacted by The Klaxon.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nThe Klaxon | Truly independent, quality journalism is vital to our democracy | Please SUPPORT US HERE<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\nRelated<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n