Gladys Berejiklian spent her Saturday in the comfort of her family home surrounded by her nearest and dearest less than two days ahead of her battle to clear her name at a state corruption inquiry.
The ex-NSW premier, 51, looked happy and relaxed as she arrived bearing gifts at the red brick North Ryde home of her elderly Armenian parents, Arsha and Krikor in Sydney's north - accompanied by her high-profile lawyer boyfriend Arthur Moses QC.
He and Gladys emerged hours later, with the ousted state leader carrying a plastic bag that appeared to contain home-cooked food, before the pair smiled as they departed in a silver Mercedes SUV with Mr Moses at the wheel.
Gladys' two sisters Rita and Mary, were also seen arriving for the get-together in the house where all three siblings were raised.
It was Mary's 'Glad and her boo' Instagram post in June that first revealed Ms Berejiklian and Mr Moses were in a relationship.
Mr Moses carried several gift bags and a large bouquet of flowers into the Berejiklian home - apparently keen to impress his potential in-laws.
No place like home: Days before an ICAC inquiry into her alleged conduct begins, ex-NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian opted for the comfort of her family home on Saturday. She is pictured leaving her family home with new partner Arthur Moses QC
Ms Berejiklian emerged later in the day carrying a plastic bag that looked as though it could contain home comforts, possibly in the form of her mum's cooking
Mr Moses, a Sydney silk who began dating the NSW Premier eight months after he represented her at her ICAC inquiry, carried gifts and a large bouquet of flowers into the Berejiklian home, apparently keen to impress her family
Gladys's younger sister Mary, who revealed the relationship between her sister and Arthur Moses in June, was also at the family gathering
The barrister began dating the-then NSW Premier eight months after he represented her at an ICAC inquiry investigating Mr Maguire in October last year.
It was at that hearing Ms Berejiklian made the bombshell admission she was in a previously secret relationship with the disgraced ex-MP.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption probe which forced her to end her premiership begins on Monday and is expected to last a fortnight, although Ms Berejiklian is not on the list of witnesses due to appear in the first week.
The ICAC is investigating whether Ms Berejiklian encouraged or allowed corrupt conduct by her secret ex-boyfriend and disgraced former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire between 2012 and 2018.
Her mother Arsha told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday that while her daughter was initially 'heartbroken' at having to step down while NSW was emerging from the Covid pandemic, she had come to accept her decision.
The 51-year-old's mother said this week her daughter was 'smiling and happy'.
Mr Moses clutched a gift bag and a large bouquet of flowers in his hands as he made his way to his partner's family home
Happy couple: Gladys Berejikilian and Arthur Moses smiled as they drove off after spending the afternoon with her family
Gladys Berejiklian's sister Rita is pictured at their parents home at North Ryde on Saturday
Mary Berejiklian's Instagram post in June revealed her sister and Mr Moses were in a relationship
Dressed down: Former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian looked carefree and casual as she arrived at the home where she was raised
Gladys Berejiklian's mother (pictured together) revealed the former premier rushed straight to their family home when lockdown lifted on Monday
Ex-NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (centre) pictured with her sisters Rita (left) and Mary (right)
Many political observers believed Ms Berejiklian's confession at the hearing into Mr Maguire last October meant her days as Premier were numbered, and he remains the primary subject of ICAC's ongoing Operation Keppel.
The disgraced MP admitted receiving thousands of dollars in commissions from China for a 'cash for visas' scheme and to using his parliamentary position to conduct business for his company G8way International, which he failed to disclose his interest in.
Despite being the Maguire revelations Ms Berejiklian soldiered on and her popularity only increased as she led NSW through the ups and downs of the pandemic.
For much of the past 18 months she had been credited as the premier who had done more than any other to help hold the nation together and keep business running during the pandemic.
But she quit on October 1, after four and a half years in the state's top job and will also step down as Willoughby MP and leave state politics for good as soon as a by-election can take place.
Her resignation came within days of the state's celebrated October 11 Freedom Day, which she helped to engineer.
'Resigning at this time is against every instinct of my being and something I do not want to do,' she said in a comment interpreted as many as a criticism of ICAC.
Her sudden departure also produced an outpouring of support for the woman who had clearly become one of Australia's most loved politicians.
Within hours of lockdown restrictions easing, Ms Berejiklian visited her parents for the first time in 106 days.
Gladys Berejiklian leaves the podium after her shock resignation as NSW Premier on October 1
Arthur Moses represented the premier when she faced the Independent Commission Against Corruption last year
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (right) with ex-boyfriend with Daryl Maguire (left)
'It was nice to see her,' a proud Arsha Berejiklian told Daily Mail Australia.
'She's mature, she's okay, and she knows what she's doing.'
'She's very happy and she feels very loved and supported.'
Ms Berejiklian has previously revealed how tough the city-wide shutdown was for her personally, especially living along and apart from her tightknit family.
'FaceTime only works for a certain amount of months,' she said in September.
'I'm really looking forward to seeing my parents and hanging out with them. They're both in their 80s.'
Gladys Berejiklian with her dad, Krikor, whom she visited on Saturday. There is no doubt among loved ones that she will clear her name
Ms Berejiklian had not seen her parents for 106 days in the flesh, and had spoken on occasion about how tough it was for her
The NSW corruption watchdog ICAC is investigating whether Ms Berejiklian encouraged or allowed corrupt conduct by her ex-boyfriend and former MP Daryl Maguire (pictured together)
Ms Berejiklian quit on October 1 after the state's corruption watchdog said it was investigating her.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating whether Ms Berejiklian encouraged or allowed corrupt conduct by her secret ex-boyfriend and former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire between 2012 and 2018.
It will also probe whether she breached public trust by not reporting any suspicion of corrupt conduct and what role she had to play in two government grants handed out in Mr Maguire's electorate.
An ICAC public inquiry on the matter will be held for about 10 days from October 18, overseen by Assistant Commissioner Ruth McColl SC.
Mr Maguire is accused of abusing his public office after admitting being involved in a cash-for-visa scheme and seeking secret commissions for brokering property deals. He was forced to resign in 2018.
In an emotional 10-minute speech on October 1 Ms Berejiklian denied any wrongdoing and slammed the watchdog for announcing its investigation into her as the state emerges from a four-month Covid lockdown.
'Resigning at this time is against every instinct in my being and something which I do not want to do,' she said.
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Only three days after she quit, Prime Minister Scott Morrison hinted Ms Berejiklian could make a run for federal politics.
Mr Morrison told Sunrise on Tuesday that she 'has a lot more to contribute, I know that'.
But he also acknowledged Ms Berejiklian has 'issues' to work through - in a reference to the ICAC investigation, which begins at 10am on Monday.
When asked if Gladys would consider a return to politics, Arsha laughed and shook her head: 'No more! It's time to relax.'
'She knows what she's doing... but we don't like to ask what comes next.'
Gun lawyer hired to protect Gladys Berejiklian at corruption inquiry got Cardinal George Pell out of jail and charges $25,000 a day - but who's paying the bill?by Stephen Gibbs for Daily Mail Australia
The barrister who will represent former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian at a corruption inquiry is the 'go-to' lawyer for rich and powerful clients with everything to lose.
Bret Walker SC has acted for bikies, politicians and sport stars in headline-grabbing legal battles which come with high stakes potential consequences befitting his estimated $25,000-a-day fees.
Among his recent successes was appearing for Cardinal George Pell when the most senior Catholic clergyman in Australia beat charges of child sexual assault in a High Court appeal.
Mr Walker will represent Ms Berejiklian at an ICAC inquiry expected to last 10 days but the Department of Premier and Cabinet would not reveal if taxpayers were footing the bill.
'Ministers (as well as other public officials and Crown employees) may apply for ex gratia legal assistance in certain circumstances, including where the person is required to appear before the Independent Commission Against Corruption,' a spokesperson said.
The barrister who will represent former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian at a corruption inquiry is the 'go-to' lawyer for rich and powerful clients with everything to lose. Bret Walker SC (pictured) has acted for bikies, politicians and sports stars and can charge $25,000 a day
Ms Berejiklian has rarely been seen since resigning on October 1 (pictured) after ICAC announced it was investigating whether she breached the public trust during her relationship with former boyfriend Daryl Maguire
Bret Walker appeared for Cardinal George Pell (pictured) when the most senior Catholic clergyman in Australia beat charges of child sexual assault in a successful
