Disgraced MP Daryl Maguire brings forward retirement
LIBERAL MP Daryl Maguire says he won’t quit but will not be renominating for election in 2019 after explosive phone recordings of him discussing potential developer “dividends” were played at a Sydney corruption inquiry.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
LIBERAL MP Daryl Maguire says he won’t be renominating for election in 2019 after secret phone recordings of him discussing potential developer “dividends” were played at a Sydney corruption inquiry.
In a video statement posted to the Wagga Wagga MP’s Facebook page today, Mr Maguire said the explosive revelations at an Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing on Friday had in fact “brought forward” his own decision to retire.
“These events have brought forward a decision that I’d already made … in the meantime up until election date I’ll continue to work for the people of Wagga Wagga as I’ve always done,” he said.
Mr Maguire, who resigned from his position as parliamentary secretary on Friday and stood aside from the Liberal Party, acknowledged he “did breach a very strict code of conduct” but would continue to represent Wagga Wagga until the state election in March 2019.
MORE NEWS:
$386m, 1100 apartment jewel in Sydney Metro plan
Mystery after mum’s body found in shed
Science solves Milat accomplice mystery
“I breached a very strict code of conduct for parliamentary secretaries but I still can continue to work on behalf of the Wagga Wagga electorate,” he said.
“I do apologise — I did breach a very strict code of conduct and I have to suffer the consequences but I won’t put the taxpayer to the cost of having a by-election — I think that unreasonable and I think it’s a cost the taxpayer doesn’t need.”
Mr Maguire’s announcement comes after Premier Gladys Berejiklian heaped pressure on Mr Maguire to resign.
In a statement released yesterday, Ms Berejiklian said she felt “deep disappointment” after learning the recordings played at ICAC were of the Wagga Wagga MP trying to strike a deal in 2016 with then-Canterbury City councillor Michael Hawatt.
“While it is for Mr Maguire alone to determine whether he stays on as the elected member until next March, I would encourage him to think carefully as to whether he can effectively represent the people of Wagga Wagga from here on in,” Ms Berejiklian said.