How a series of urgent texts warned of a major corruption scandal
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Urgent text messages revealed a major corruption scandal involving NSW Liberal figures and a property developer.
- The texts were sent 19 months before a parliamentary speech that triggered a corruption inquiry.
- The messages were directed to then-Premier Gladys Berejiklian by parliamentary secretary Ray Williams.
A series of urgent text messages has surfaced, shedding light on a significant corruption scandal that has ensnared figures within the NSW Liberal party and their dealings with a fugitive property developer. These messages were reportedly sent 19 months prior to a pivotal parliamentary speech that ultimately initiated a formal corruption inquiry.
The communications were exchanged between parliamentary secretary Ray Williams and his superior, then-Premier Gladys Berejiklian. The urgency conveyed in the texts suggests early awareness of potential wrongdoing or sensitive information related to the developer's activities and the party's connections.
These revelations add a critical layer to the ongoing investigation, providing a potential timeline and direct evidence of communication between key players. The content and context of these messages are likely to be central to understanding the extent of the alleged corruption and the roles played by those involved.
Nineteen months before making the parliamentary speech that sparked a corruption inquiry into NSW Liberal figures and their relationship with a fugitive property developer, parliamentary secretary Ray Williams sent an urgent text message to his boss, premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.