NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman was grilled at a Budget Estimates hearing last month about the exact level of support provided to Mr Maguire at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Mr Speakman took the question on notice and provided a written response to the hearing this week.

"I am advised: As at 10 November 2021, $26,276.42 has been paid in relation to Mr Maguire's legal representation in relation to the ICAC's Operation Keppel," Mr Speakman stated.

The response did not state whether that covered part or all of Mr Maguire's legal bills.

Operation Keppel was revealed by ICAC only after Mr Maguire had resigned from Parliament and concerned allegations that he exploited his public positions for improper personal gain.

Mr Maguire appeared at two rounds of hearings for Operation Keppel, one late last year and another in October, to investigate allegations his former secret romantic partner, former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, had a conflict of interest in millions of dollars pledged to the Wagga electorate.

Greens MLC and legal affairs budget estimates committee member David Shoebridge said Mr Maguire should not have been given such generous support to defend allegations about his private affairs.

"Why is there one rule for politicians and one for the general public? If this was a criminal trial, Legal Aid would be means tested and Mr Maguire would be excluded," Mr Shoebridge said.

A Department of Communities and Justice spokesperson said last month it was in the public interest that witnesses called to give evidence before ICAC were aware of their rights and witnesses convicted of an indictable offence as a result of the investigation were required to repay the total amount with interest.

Mr Shoebridge said that was "no kind of a safeguard" as convictions stemming from ICAC were rare.

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