ICAC makes rare public statement, reveals Gladys report will be delayed

The NSW corruption watchdog’s report into allegations about ex-premier Gladys Berejiklian’s conduct in office will be further delayed.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said in an update on Friday it will hire the assistant commissioner overseeing the investigation as a consultant when her tenure expires on Monday.

Ruth McColl was hired to preside over ICAC’s Operation Keppel, which originally looked into the conduct of ex-Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire before it widened to also look into whether Berejiklian had breached the public’s trust.

Crikey reported earlier this month McColl was busy preparing the long-awaited report and that there were no plans to extend her tenure.

The ICAC said on Friday that was still true, but that McColl would continue her work for the watchdog by being engaged under section 104B of the ICAC Act, which allows for the commission to hire consultants.

“This decision has been taken in consultation with Ms McColl,” the ICAC said in the statement.

“Ms McColl’s services are required for the purposes of her finalising the Operation Keppel report, including participating in the review and editing processes of that report.”

The statement added the ICAC was “conscious of its obligations … to furnish investigation reports as soon as possible after it has concluded its involvement in a matter”.

It's more than a year since the public hearings of the investigation into Gladys Berejiklian began. According to @crikey_news, the ICAC said earlier this month it had no plans to extend Ruth McColl's appointment. Now she'll be engaged as a consultant to finish the job.

— Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop (@seanrubinsztein) October 27, 2022

Tuesday will mark a year since Berejiklian last gave public evidence to the ICAC.

The first time Berejiklian took the stand at ICAC, in October 2020, it was as a witness, but her bombshell testimony that she had been in a secret relationship with Maguire for several years eventually led investigators to train their eyes on her conduct as well. 

When ICAC announced on October 1 2021 it would expand its investigation to look into allegations that Berejiklian breached the public’s trust in the course of her relationship with Maguire, it prompted her to resign as premier.

In her second round of public testimony, Berejiklian denied allegations she failed to report (or actively encouraged) allegedly corrupt behaviour by Maguire. 

She also denied she had a conflict of interest when she advanced funding requests from Maguire while she was treasurer and premier.