Details of Gladys Berejiklian's private life emerged at the ICAC inquiry

The details of Ms Berejiklian's private life emerged on Monday morning as the premier took the stand at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry, which is investigating allegations Mr Maguire breached public trust and used parliamentary resources for personal gain.

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Ms Berejiklian told ICAC she had a "close personal relationship" with Mr Maguire from about 2015 until she ceased contact with him several months ago when she was privately questioned by ICAC.

Ms Berejiklian, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, told ICAC she requested Mr Maguire's resignation in 2018 when he was first questioned by ICAC, but remained in contact with him because "he was someone who was in a very bad state".

Counsel assisting ICAC Scott Robertson on Monday morning questioned Ms Berejiklian on how much she knew about Mr Maguire's business dealings, and whether she ever discouraged him from giving her details.

Ms Berejiklian told the hearing Mr Maguire told her about his dealings "infrequently."

"He was a big talker, a lot of the time I would have ignored or disregarded what he said as fanciful," she said.

"I always made the assumption he was always doing the right thing in terms of his disclosures and his interests."

The hearing was played phone recordings between Mr Maguire and Ms Berejiklian where Mr Maguire talks about wanting to accompany then-trade minister Niall Blair on a trip to China to intervene on an issue between Riverina company UWE and Chinese parent company Bright Food.

Ms Berejiklian told ICAC he would have needed permission to do this, permission that was denied by her office and Mr Blair's office.

In the phone recordings, Ms Berejiklian does not tell Mr Maguire he cannot go to China, but Ms Berejiklian says this was because she compartmentalised her personal life and her public role and would have allowed Mr Maguire's request to go through the proper channels.