What Happened to Gladys Berejiklian? Where is She Now?
by Kowsalya
Updated Jun 29, 2023
What Happened to Gladys Berejiklian?
After a lengthy investigation, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has found that former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian engaged in "serious misconduct" during her time in office. The ICAC report revealed that Berejiklian, along with a former member of Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire, with whom she had an undisclosed relationship, misused their positions for personal gain.
While ICAC has sought advice on launching criminal proceedings against Maguire, they will not recommend charges against Berejiklian. However, the corruption findings have raised concerns about her executive position at Optus, where she was appointed as Managing Director, Enterprise, Business, and Institutional after resigning as premier in 2021.
Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin had previously expressed support for Berejiklian but stated that they would reassess the situation based on the ICAC report. The company was not expecting any information that would jeopardize her role. However, former political powerbroker Graham Richardson believes that Berejiklian should resign from her executive job, suggesting that Optus may not retain her.
The ICAC investigation revealed that Maguire improperly used his office and resources for the benefit of G8way International Pty Ltd. He failed to disclose his interest in the company and misused his position as chair of the NSW Parliament Asia Pacific Friendship Group.
Meanwhile, Berejiklian breached the public trust by exercising her official functions in relation to government-funded construction projects without disclosing her conflict of interest with Maguire.
Despite the ICAC findings, Berejiklian's handling of the Covid crisis was recognized as excellent by NSW Premier Chris Minns. However, he emphasized the importance of public officials declaring conflicts of interest. Berejiklian maintained that she had always acted in the public interest and appreciated the support she received from the public.
In response to the ICAC report, Optus issued a brief statement acknowledging its contents but declined to provide further comment. The report is currently being examined by Berejiklian's legal team.
Who is Gladys Berejiklian?
Gladys Berejiklian is an Australian former politician who held several significant roles in New South Wales (NSW). She served as the 45th premier of NSW and led the NSW division of the Liberal Party from 2017 to 2021.
Berejiklian entered the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 2003, representing the electoral district of Willoughby. Throughout her political career, she held various ministerial positions, including Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations in the second Baird government, and Minister for Transport in the O'Farrell and first Baird governments.
From 2014 to 2017, she also served as the deputy leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party. Following Mike Baird's resignation in January 2017, Berejiklian assumed the role of premier and was subsequently re-elected after winning the 2019 state election. During her second term, she played a pivotal role in leading New South Wales's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In October 2021, Berejiklian announced her intention to resign as premier and member for Willoughby after the commencement of an investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
The investigation sought to determine whether a "breach of public trust" occurred due to her failure to disclose her secret relationship with Daryl Maguire, as it pertained to her ministerial responsibilities.
It also scrutinized her failure to report potentially corrupt statements made by Maguire during phone calls recorded in the course of the Maguire ICAC investigation. Berejiklian remained as premier until her replacement, Dominic Perrottet, was elected at a party room meeting on October 5, 2021. In 2023, an ICAC report concluded that Berejiklian engaged in "serious corrupt conduct," but did not recommend pressing criminal charges against her.
Gladys Berejiklian Age
Gladys Berejiklian age is 52 years old, she was born at Manly Hospital in Sydney. She is the eldest of three daughters and comes from Armenian heritage. Her parents, Krikor and Arsha, were both Armenian immigrants. Berejiklian's grandparents were orphaned during the Armenian genocide in 1915, and her father was born in Aleppo, Syria, where she still has relatives.
Her mother was born in Jerusalem, Mandatory Palestine. Armenian was her primary language until the age of five when she started learning English. She remains fluent in Armenian and has remained active in the Armenian-Australian community, serving on the Armenian National Committee of Australia. In 2015, she attended a commemoration ceremony in Yerevan to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
For her education, Berejiklian attended North Ryde High School, which later became Peter Board High School. She participated in the Girl Guides organization and continues to support it. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (1992) and a graduate diploma in international studies (1996) from the University of Sydney. She also earned a Master in Commerce from the University of New South Wales in 2001.
Gladys Berejiklian Now
After abruptly resigning as the premier in 2021, Gladys Berejiklian was appointed as the Managing Director, Enterprise, Business, and Institutional at Optus in February of the same year.
However, on Thursday, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) released a report stating that Berejiklian and former member of Wagga Wagga, Daryl Maguire, who was involved in an undisclosed relationship, had engaged in "serious corrupt conduct."
While ICAC sought advice from prosecutors regarding potential criminal proceedings against Maguire, they indicated that they would not recommend charges against Berejiklian. The report concluded that the Commission did not believe it necessary to involve the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in prosecuting Berejiklian for any offense.
Nevertheless, these corruption findings have raised concerns about Berejiklian's position at Optus, Australia's second-largest telecommunications company. In anticipation of the ICAC report, Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin had previously expressed support for Berejiklian but stated that the company would reassess its stance based on the released findings.
Bayer Rosmarin emphasized that the ICAC investigation pertained to events that occurred before Berejiklian's tenure at Optus. The company did not anticipate any revelations that would jeopardize her role, according to Bayer Rosmarin.
What Happened to Gladys Berejiklian-FAQs
After a lengthy investigation, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has found that former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian engaged in "serious corrupt conduct" during her time in office.
Gladys Berejiklian, born on September 22, 1970, is an Australian former politician who held several significant roles in New South Wales (NSW). She served as the 45th premier of NSW and led the NSW division of the Liberal Party from 2017 to 2021.
The age of Gladys Berejiklian is 52 years old.
The occupation of Gladys Berejiklian is Banker, Politician.