Paul Farrell
$19.95
Monash University Publishing

All but the most biased readers of this small, 90-page book will come away admiring the professionalism demonstrated by staff at the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

A Leader’s Undoing recounts the demise of former Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who was found to “engage in serious corrupt conduct” by ICAC.

Ms Berejiklian’s case was held against the ackdrop of demands for a Federal version of ICAC, a body fiercely resisted by then Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Using ICAC’s case against the popular NSW Premier, Mr Morrison and his supporters publicly vilified the corruption-fighting body, with many in the Murdoch press supporting his campaign.

Paul Farrell, an ABC 7:30 journalist, examines the way ICAC investigated Ms Berejiklian’s conduct after phone taps revealed she and Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire were in an undisclosed relationship.

In the ensuing case, it emerged that projects in Mr Maguire’s electorate received attention not afforded to most other seats

A short read, Mr Farrell’s book is an entertaining look at how a well-run government agency, in this case ICAC, can make the state a better place.