The Inspector of the Independent Commission Against Corruption has found former Wagga MP Daryl Maguire's private testimony being published on the internet was the result of a error by "junior employee" at the integrity watchdog.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Maguire gave part of his testimony to ICAC in private on October 15 after counsel assisting the inquiry, Scott Robertson, sought to ask questions about his previously-secret relationship with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
A transcript of Mr Maguire's testimony was accidentally published online for just over 30 minutes later that day before being removed and subject to a suppression order.
Inspector Bruce McClintock released the report on Thursday after an investigation that was prompted by a complaint from Ms Berejiklian's solicitor, who argued her privacy and personal security had been compromised.
Mr McClintock recommended that ICAC retrain staff and reinforce "appropriate actions and security measures in uploading private transcripts ... to the 'restricted' and public website" but determined that the incident was not "maladministration" despite "unfair and detrimental consequences for Ms Berejiklian".
"I am concerned about the responsibility the [ICAC] places on junior employees," Mr McClintock stated.
Meanwhile, Ms Berejiklian has also denied allegations that she had a conflict of interest in a $5.5 million grant to build Wagga's Australian Clay Target Association conference centre.
On the same day that the Inspector's report was published, Ms Berejiklian again faced questions over whether her relationship with Mr Maguire influenced the grant for Wagga's clay target centre, which was allocated $5.5 million in late 2016 while she was NSW Treasurer.
"All those arrangements went through the normal processes. I don't intervene in those processes," Ms Berejiklian said
"The integrity body had all that information and they have stated that I am not an affected witness; I was there to support their inquiries and that remains the case.
"As Treasurer, you oversee all funds that are going through but that was up to the relevant minister and I was not the relevant minister."
Labor opposition leader Jodi McKay told the ABC that the clay target centre represented "one of the most serious issues that can arise for a minister, when you know that a benefit is being conferred on someone close to you and you're involved in making that decision".
The grant came from the Environment and Tourism Fund from the Department of Regional NSW, whose spokesperson said the assessment process was "based on the project's merit".