Gladys Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire corruption inquiry report looms as the Optus exec shops

[ad_1]

Gladys Berejiklian dodgy boyfriend saga takes another turn as bombshell corruption inquiry report looms – but Optus exec hasn’t a care in the world shopping up a storm with a mate

  • Gladys Berejiklian is still awaiting outcome of ICAC inquiry into her soured fling
  • ICAC will keep their star silk employed for a few extra months to finish her report
  • Ruth McColl SC given extra time at the anti-corruption body to finalise it
  • The ex-premier was spotted shopping with a mate in Double Bay this week

The anti-corruption commissioner overseeing the inquiry that prompted former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation has been given more time to finish her report. 

Commissioner Ruth McColl SC has been given more time to finish her inquiry report into Ms Berejiklian. The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption insisted she stay on to complete the report despite the fact her tenure was due to end at the end of October.

See also  DAN WOOTTON: Johnson never stood chance with establishment determined to politically assassinate PM

Ms McColl was appointed ICAC Assistant Commissioner last year to preside over the inquiry into disgraced former MP Daryl Maguire. 

‘Ms McColl’s services are required for the purpose of her finalising the Operation Keppel report, including participating in the review and editing process of that report,’ ICAC said in a statement on Friday.

Gladys Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire corruption inquiry report looms as the Optus exec shops

ICAC Assistant Commissioner Ruth McColl (pictured) famously gave the former premier a grilling during the inquiry in November last year

Ms McColl was appointed in July 2020 to oversee Operation Keppel, which began as an investigation into Ms Berejiklian’s former partner, Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire, over his use of public office for private gain. 

But when the then-premier sensationally revealed their clandestine relationship, it sparked a further investigation into her conduct. Ms Berejiklian resigned as premier in October 2021. 

The formidable silk starred on the front cover of the Sydney Morning Herald's Good Weekend magazine in 1984 for an article about women in law

The formidable silk starred on the front cover of the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Weekend magazine in 1984 for an article about women in law

Ms McColl gave the former premier a spectacular grilling in November last year. 

The corruption commissioner demanded straight answers during the early stages of Ms Berejiklian’s hearing, as the then-premier had seemed to have perfected the art of longwinded responses during her daily lockdown press conferences.

‘Could I ask you to answer the question and not make speeches,’ Ms McColl said.

The former premier continued to give long answers during the hearing and Ms McColl again interrupted to say: ‘Ms Berejiklian, I do not think you are heeding the message I just communicated to you.’

She then continued to stay on top of the ex-premier throughout the hearing.

See also  Is Harry sabotaging the King's plans for a slimmed-down monarchy? Watch Palace Confidential

Since leaving politics, Ms Berejiklian has taken up a senior executive position at Optus.

Just months after taking on the role with the telco, it revealed it had been the subject of one of the largest data breaches in Australian history. 

Ms McColl (bottom right during the ICAC hearing) gave the former premier a series of grillings as Ms Berejiklian tried to talk her way around pointed questions

Ms McColl (bottom right during the ICAC hearing) gave the former premier a series of grillings as Ms Berejiklian tried to talk her way around pointed questions

The communications giant was hit by the hack in September, before being sent a ransom note demanding $1.5million for the safe return of data related to 11.2 million customers. 

The 52-year-old was spotted during an outing on Tuesday to Double Bay, one of Sydney’s ritziest suburbs. 

She was casually dressed for the rare outing, wearing blue jeans, a stylish black jacket, a black and white patterned top and black shoes with a slight heel. 

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured right) was spotted with a mystery friend for the first time since a cyber-hack brought weeks of unwanted publicity to her employer, Optus

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured right) was spotted with a mystery friend for the first time since a cyber-hack brought weeks of unwanted publicity to her employer, Optus

It’s not suggested Ms Berejiklian was responsible for any of the issues involved in the security breach, but she faces a mountain to climb in helping rebuild Optus’s tarnished reputation. 

She has yet to discuss the hack in public, despite being the best known person in Optus’s corporate division – she became a national name for her leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Her Optus salary has not been revealed, but her Telstra equivalent – David Burns, group executive enterprise – takes home $1.1million a year. 

Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said in February that Ms Berejiklian would be a ‘game-changer’ for their department in charge of business customers.

See also  Biden's DOJ wants to bring mask mandates back onto flights

‘Gladys is a proven leader,’ said Ms Rosmarin.

Eight months later, those skills hailed by her CEO will be tested to the limit as the company tries to restore confidence after the cataclysmic data breach.

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian (front) is seen after her appearance at ICAC concluded

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian (front) is seen after her appearance at ICAC concluded

Advertisement

[ad_2]

Source link