GLADYS Berejiklian has had better weeks in charge of NSW. Monday's revelation that the premier had been in a secret personal relationship with disgraced former Wagga MP Daryl Maguire, the subject of the Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry at which the news broke, was stunning if only for how unexpected it was.
Novocastrians needed little reminder of how transformative ICAC can be to the fortunes of a politician, given Operation Spicer's famous reshaping of the political landscape in the Hunter.
Predictably, the Opposition did not pull its punches on Ms Berejiklian's revelation, including transcripts where she told Mr Maguire she "didn't need to know that bit" in crucial exchanges.
NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay branded the matter a question of integrity before a heated question time where she accused the Premier of "turning a blind eye to corruption".
Ms Berejiklian rejected the assertion but has been unequivocal a mistake was made, albeit while staying staunch that the personal and political were separate. It came after ministers hit the hustings to express support for Ms Berejiklian on Tuesday.
Clearly, questions lingered.
Ms Berejiklian has been adamant she ensured she did nothing wrong professionally. Ultimately the true magnitude of the ICAC revelations should be a matter for voters, if only to prevent an unnecessary return of the type of leadership games that too long plagued federal politics.
A relationship between two people elected into positions of public trust is a matter of public interest when one of them, Mr Maguire, is facing serious allegations and the other holds the state's highest position.
Given Ms Berejiklian's efforts on the recent Nationals koala revolt and through the pandemic, perhaps the mea culpa will be sufficient for enough voters.
Those who agree with Labor's contention it points to a lack of judgement and transparency are entitled to want more than an apology.
The reaction to the secrecy shows how quickly even the most innocent of actions can potentially lead to perceptions of impropriety when shrouded from public view and then exposed.
What is true is that this revelation would likely not have emerged at this point without the ICAC inquiry.
At a minimum, the unexpected news this week bolstered the case for such a scrutineer to impartially hold those elected to represent us to account.
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