NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will be investigated by the NSW anti-corruption watchdog over allegations that she breached public trust via her relationship with former Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.
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The allegations relate to millions of dollars in grants awarded to the Australian Clay Target Association for a Wagga function centre and to the Riverina Conservatorium of Music in Wagga to move to a new building.
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will hold a further public inquiry as part of Operation Keppel from 10am on October 18.
Operation Keppel was started in 2018 in response to Mr Maguire's appearance before a separate ICAC inquiry that year, and was originally focused on allegations against Mr Maguire.
ICAC stated that is was investigating whether, between 2012 and 2018, Ms Berejiklian 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, Daryl Maguire".
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ICAC stated that these alleged breaches of trust were connected to Ms Berejiklian's official functions related to "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".
The hearings will also concern allegations that Ms Berejiklian breached "public trust by refusing to exercise her duty [under] 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 Maguire", or "was liable to allow or encourage the occurrence" his of corrupt conduct.
It is expected that the inquiry will continue for approximately 10 days.
Ms Berejiklian has previously stated she had done nothing wrong in regards to her previous ICAC appearances related to Mr Maguire and denied claims she had conflict of interests in the grants.
Ms Berejiklian is due to appear at a press conference at 1pm on Friday.
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