NSW Liberal MP Daryl Maguire resigns after corruption hearing
A STATE Liberal MP has sensationally quit the party and gone independent in a last-ditch effort to save his political career following explosive revelations at a corruption inquiry.
NSW
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A STATE Liberal MP has sensationally quit the party and gone independent in a last-ditch effort to save his political career following explosive revelations at a corruption inquiry.
Daryl Maguire last night tendered his resignation as Parliamentary Secretary and said he would stand aside from the Liberal Party after admitting to an Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation inquiry that he sought a “dividend” over a property deal with a Chinese developer.
He will now sit on the cross bench as an independent. but pressure is now mounting for the Wagga Wagga MP to be sacked or to stand down from the seat.
Mr Maguire could be forced out if Labor puts forward a motion to remove him and it garners majority support. His removal would trigger a potentially damaging by-election for the Berejiklian government eight months out from the state poll. Mr Maguire holds the seat with a 27.8 per cent margin.
The inquiry yesterday heard an extraordinary telephone conversation recorded secretly in May 2016 between Mr Maguire and then Canterbury City councillor Mick Hawatt, who is at the centre of ICAC’s investigation.
During the phone call, Mr Maguire was heard telling Mr Hawatt he had a client with “mega money” who would be interested in a site in Canterbury that had been approved for 300 units.
He asked the councillor what “margin” he would get from the “quick sale” worth up to $51 million.
“1.5 per cent isn’t enough divided by two if you know what I’m talking about?” Mr Maguire said.
“Yeah, I understand. Yeah I do understand,” Mr Hawatt said.
Mr Maguire replied: “So three per cent is much better.”
Immediately after the hearing Mr Maguire went to Acting Premier John Barilaro and told him he was quitting his extra parliamentary duties but would not resign as an MP.
“Today Daryl told the truth — he’s admitted he’s done wrong and he’s now paying that price and that is that he’s resigning as a parliamentary secretary of the government,” Mr Barilaro said. Mr Barilaro spoke to Premier Gladys Berejiklian — who is on leave — late yesterday about the scandal.
Acting Labor leader Michael Daley called for Mr Maguire to be “removed”. But Mr Barilaro said it was up to voters in March to cast judgment on Mr Maguire.
“He’ll have to face the people of Wagga and Daryl will have to do that in due course and he’ll have to earn that trust back,” Mr Barilaro said.
Mr Maguire is now on leave.
“Daryl will be taking some leave and I’m sure there’s much contemplation,” Mr Barilaro said.