Gladys Berejiklian, an ex-politician from Australia, held the position of the 45th premier of New South Wales and led the New South Wales division of the Liberal Party from 2017 to 2021.
Bio/Wiki
Age-52 years
Height-5′ 5″ (1.65 m)
Weight-55kg
Born-22 September 1970
Birthplace- Manly, Australia
Profession-Politician
Spouse-Daryl Maguire
Nationality-Australian
Party-Liberal Party of Australia
Family
Berejiklian, the eldest of three daughters, was born at Manly Hospital in Sydney. Her parents, Krikor (1932–2022) and Arsha, were Armenian immigrants, and her grandparents experienced the tragedy of being orphaned during the Armenian genocide in 1915 at the hands of Turkish soldiers. Her father was born in Aleppo, Syria, where she still has relatives, while her mother was born in Jerusalem, Mandatory Palestine. Until the age of five, Berejiklian spoke exclusively in Armenian, but then started learning English. She maintains her fluency in the Armenian language to this day.
Relationship
Berejiklian frequently participates in gatherings held by the Armenian Apostolic Church. Starting from June 2021, she has been in a relationship with attorney Arthur Moses, who served as her representative during a corruption inquiry concerning her previous partner, Daryl Maguire.
Children
Gladys Berejiklian is childless.
Career
Gladys Berejiklian is an Australian politician who has had a prominent career in public service. She served as the 45th Premier of New South Wales, the most populous state in Australia, from January 2017 to October 2021. Here are some key details about her career:
Early Life and Education:
Gladys Berejiklian was born on September 22, 1970, in Sydney, Australia. She comes from an Armenian family and grew up in the North Shore suburbs of Sydney. Berejiklian attended North Ryde High School and later graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Education.
Political Party and Early Political Career:
Berejiklian is a member of the Liberal Party of Australia. She became involved in politics during her university years and was elected as the President of the New South Wales Young Liberals in 1997. In 2003, she was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the Member for Willoughby Ministerial Roles:
During her time in parliament, Berejiklian held several ministerial positions in the New South Wales government. From 2005 to 2011, she served as the Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Transport, and Minister for Industrial Relations. In 2011, she became the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, a role in which she played a key role in major infrastructure projects.
Leadership as Premier:
Following the resignation of Mike Baird, Gladys Berejiklian was elected as the Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party and subsequently became the Premier of New South Wales on January 23, 2017. She was the first woman to hold the position in the state’s history. As Premier, she focused on infrastructure development, education, and health reforms.
Legacy and Resignation:
During her tenure, Berejiklian oversaw significant infrastructure projects, such as the Sydney Metro and WestConnex, and implemented policy reforms in education and healthcare. However, her premiership was marred by controversies, including an investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) into her previous relationship with a former member of parliament. She resigned as Premier on October 1, 2021, following the announcement of the ICAC investigation’s findings.
Post-Premiership:
After stepping down as Premier, Berejiklian returned to the backbenches of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. Her political future and plans beyond that point remain uncertain as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021.
Gladys Berejiklian’s career has been marked by her contributions to infrastructure development and her role as the first female Premier of New South Wales. While her premiership ended under controversial circumstances, her political journey has left a significant impact on the state’s political landscape.
Achievements / Awards
Gladys Berejiklian has received several awards and honors throughout her career. Here are some notable ones:
- Companion of the Order of Australia (AC): In 2021, Berejiklian was appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia, which is the highest honor in the Australian Honours System. This recognition was awarded for her eminent service to the Parliament and the people of New South Wales, particularly as Premier, and to infrastructure development.
- Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) Freedom Award: In 2019, Berejiklian received the ANC-AU Freedom Award in recognition of her political achievements and contributions to the Armenian community in Australia.
- University of Sydney Alumni Award: In 2017, Berejiklian was honored with the University of Sydney Alumni Award for her outstanding public service and leadership as the Premier of New South Wales.
- Malta Day Ambassador: In 2015, she was recognized as the Malta Day Ambassador by the Maltese community in Australia for her ongoing support and contributions to the Maltese community.
Net Worth 2023
Her net worth is estimated to be somewhere between $1 million to $10 million.
Latest News About Gladys Berejiklian
ICAC Inquiry Live Updates
The ICAC report reveals that Gladys Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire were involved in significant corrupt activities.
The corruption watchdog of New South Wales (NSW) has recently unveiled its findings regarding Operation Keppel, a comprehensive investigation delving into the connection between former premier Gladys Berejiklian and MP Daryl Maguire. This long-awaited moment arrives nearly two years after the conclusion of the hearings in November 2021.
Mark Speakman expressed his strong disapproval of the conduct revealed in the ICAC findings regarding his former parliamentary colleague, Daryl Maguire. He described Maguire’s behavior as “disgraceful” and emphasized the negative impact it had both on Maguire himself and on the reputation of the parliament. Speakman’s remarks suggested a significant level of disappointment and condemnation toward Maguire.
Alister Henskens, another politician, emphasized the importance of politicians prioritizing their constituents’ interests as their primary focus. He stated that serving the constituents should be the guiding principle for all politicians, implying that Maguire’s actions were contrary to this fundamental responsibility.
Furthermore, Henskens criticized the delay in the release of the ICAC’s Operation Keppel report. He expressed the belief that it would be more beneficial for all parties involved if integrity matters were addressed promptly and the findings were released in a timely manner. This criticism implies a desire for a more efficient and timely process in investigating and disclosing matters related to integrity.