Gladys Berejiklian's former political allies and foes have heralded her role in shepherding NSW through the pandemic despite a scathing report into her conduct.
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The Independent Commission Against Corruption concluded Ms Berejiklian engaged in serious corrupt conduct while in a secret, five-year relationship with fellow Liberal MP Daryl Maguire, in a two volume, 688-page report released on Thursday.
Premier Chris Minns criticised the time taken for the ICAC to hand down its report while reminding those in public life to declare any conflicts of interest as a "fundamental principle" of parliament.
"If you're an official or public servant that is the subject of an inquiry, to hold your life effectively up for years and years is just too long," he said.
But Mr Minns said the findings did not detract from Ms Berejiklian's "excellent" handling of the COVID-19 crisis.
Officials should not automatically have to resign from public life while an inquiry was taking place, he added.
"When former premier Berejiklian made her resignation, we didn't call for it and I didn't demand that she step down at the time," he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese deflected questions when asked if he thought Ms Berejiklian was right to resign in light of the ICAC findings.
"I'll leave those questions to NSW," he told reporters.
Ms Berejiklian's former state Liberal colleagues broadly defended her record, with Opposition Leader Mark Speakman pointing out the watchdog did not suggest the ex-premier had breached criminal law or received personal, financial benefits.
"The Gladys I know worked her guts out 24/7," he said.
"The Gladys I know and observed as an MP and a minister was an honest MP who served the people of NSW with incredible dedication."
However, he acknowledged there were "serious findings" against her.
"We will look at those closely."
He condemned the behaviour of his former colleague Maguire which he described as "disgraceful and reprehensible", saying he "monstrously failed" to serve the people of NSW.
Shadow attorney-general Alister Henskens said Ms Berejiklian had led the state "with strength and determination through the most challenging conditions since the Second World War".
Former NSW treasurer Matt Kean also leapt to his friend's defence, calling the findings a "ridiculous display".
"So it has taken ICAC two years to tell us that Gladys Berejiklian has not broken the law," he posted on Twitter.
"This body deciding that 'serious corrupt conduct' has occurred, but then recommending no charges be laid because there is no evidence?"
But former NSW auditor-general Tony Smith said it was "a bit surprising" that Ms Berejiklian thought the ministerial code of conduct did not apply to her when premier.
"It shows you that many politicians do not actually understand what corrupt activity is," he told ABC TV.
Geoffrey Watson, a former counsel assisting the ICAC and now the director of the Centre for Public Integrity, said he was surprised by the strength of the findings.
"The factual findings are really very strongly worded (and) highly adverse," he said.
"I can tell you I have been there when this has been debated and ICAC does not do this unless the case is clear and the conduct is bad."
NSW Greens anti-corruption spokeswoman Kobi Shetty said the announcement should be a "wake-up call" to the parliament that corruption must stop.
A spokesperson for Optus, where Ms Berejiklian now works as an executive, said the company acknowledges the report but had no further comment.
Australian Associated Press
