Australia corruption in focus as Gladys Berejiklian inquiry opens

Former NSW premier denies wrongdoing while country slips in global 'clean' ranks

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New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces her resignation in Sydney on Oct. 1. She is now the subject of an inquiry into alleged corruption, though she denies any wrongdoing. © AAP Image via Reuters

ERIC MEIJER, Contributing writer

SYDNEY -- An Australian corruption commission on Monday launched an inquiry into Gladys Berejiklian, the popular former premier of New South Wales who resigned on Oct. 1, regarding a case that is electrifying public debate over murky government dealings at the state and federal level.

Experts say corruption in Australia is largely political rather than criminal -- designed to advance political interests versus steal funds. Although this phenomenon is hardly unique to Australia, there is real concern about slipping standards, a worry supported by the country's recent fall in international "cleanliness" rankings.

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