Gladys Berejiklian

The New South Wales ICAC concluded in 2023 that Gladys Berejiklian had engaged in "serious corrupt conduct" in several aspects of her relationship with MP Daryl Maguire, notably because of the conflict between her public duties and private interest in funding matters involving the Australian Clay Target Association and the Riverina Conservatorium of Music, as well as her failure to report certain suspicions concerning Maguire. The controversy had led to her resignation as Premier in 2021.

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Directly implicated

The Stronger Communities Fund faced strong criticism after it emerged that an overwhelming share of the 252 million dollars distributed had benefited electorates held or targeted by the Coalition. Notes used for funding decisions by Berejiklian's office had been destroyed and subsequently recovered digitally. A parliamentary inquiry described the system as a particularly blatant form of pork-barrelling and criticised rules designed to permit discretionary decisions.

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Political responsibility

The Sydney light rail project, launched while Berejiklian was Transport Minister, almost doubled in cost relative to certain original estimates. A dispute with Acciona over underground utilities ended in a 576 million-dollar settlement, and the final cost approached 3 billion. The Auditor-General attributed a substantial part of the overrun to costing errors and omissions in project preparation.

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Political responsibility

A dispute over koala habitat protection rules led Nationals leader John Barilaro to announce that his MPs would no longer support government legislation, effectively plunging the coalition into crisis. Berejiklian responded by demanding that Nationals ministers reaffirm their membership of the government or leave the cabinet.

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Political responsibility

Following the disembarkation of Ruby Princess passengers in Sydney at the beginning of the pandemic, an inquiry identified serious errors by NSW Health in assessing and managing the vessel. Berejiklian apologised unreservedly on behalf of the government.

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Political responsibility

The Berejiklian government announced the demolition and reconstruction of Sydney's major stadiums at a cost exceeding 2 billion dollars. The decision prompted unusual opposition even within the Coalition, tens of thousands of signatures against the project and criticism of budget priorities. In March 2018, the government abandoned full demolition of the Olympic Stadium and announced a less expensive renovation.

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Directly implicated

The handling of legislation decriminalising abortion in New South Wales triggered a Liberal Party crisis. Three conservative MPs threatened a no-confidence motion against Berejiklian, accusing her of breaching their trust by allowing the bill to proceed without sufficient consultation.

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Political responsibility