Former Wagga MP Daryl Maguire denies allegations he gave misleading evidence to ICAC

Disgraced former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire allegedly gave misleading evidence to the state’s corruption watchdog about receiving a “financial benefit” when facilitating the potential purchase of a $48m property.

Daryl McGuire arriving at Downing Centre Local Court in April last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

A court has heard tapped phone calls in which former state MP Daryl Maguire allegedly discussed his share in a potential $48m property purchase, which he was facilitating between a developer and a Chinese company with “mega money”.

Maguire, who was the Liberal MP for Wagga Wagga between 1999 and 2018, fronted Downing Centre Local Court on Monday for the start of three-day hearing, having previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of giving misleading evidence at a public inquiry.

.As he arrived at court, Maguire said it had been “nearly seven years” since he was invited by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to give evidence “as a witness and not a person of interest”.

“I’ve always maintained that I did not give misleading evidence,” Maguire said.

“I answered every question to the best of my ability. Today, I am pleading not guilty.”

Former NSW Liberal MP Daryl Maguire. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Barrister Paul Hogan outlined the prosecution’s case during opening submissions, saying the “central day” in question was May 9, 2016, when Maguire called then-Canterbury councillor Michael Hawatt.

The allegations relate to the pair discussing a property development known as Harrisons, across from Canterbury Hospital on Canterbury Rd at Campsie known as Harrisons.

The call was previously played during the ICAC hearing in July 2018.

The court heard property developer Charbel Demian was looking to sell the block and Maguire was allegedly “active in facilitating trade and investment on behalf of Chinese investors” – namely Country Garden.

Hawatt is charged with three counts of giving false or misleading evidence at a public inquiry, with his matter set for hearing in March. Demian is defending one count of the same charge, with his matter set for hearing in September.

Mr Hogan alleged the conversation was “accompanied by an expectation that Mr Maguire would receive a financial benefit”.

He outlined Maguire allegedly telling Hawatt to “do me a favour, I need to feed my friends” 30 projects which were “ideally … DA approved” and ready to go.

He told the court Maguire misled ICAC by saying the only reason for helping facilitate the potential purchase was the “desire to assist his friend” who worked for Country Garden – but later allegedly changed his evidence to acknowledge he was expecting a financial benefit.

“The Crown says that evidence was misleading because the evidence demonstrates that Mr Maguire believed that he and Mr Hawatt would share a commission if they identified a property that could be purchased by Country Garden,” Mr Hogan said.

The phone call, which was captured during covert surveillance, was briefly played in court while former ICAC lead investigator Andrew Browning was giving evidence.

The pair first discussed their separate trips to China before chatting about potential developments.

Maguire is then heard saying “1.5 per cent isn’t enough divided by two if you know what I mean”.

“Three per cent is a lot (better),” Maguire added.

He earlier told Hawatt that “my client is mega big and he’s got mega money” and that he didn’t “want to f--k around”, asking for him to get the information about the properties to him “ASAP”.

Another ICAC hearing revealed Maguire had been in a secret relationship with Gladys Berejiklian.

Hawatt is heard telling Maguire the property on Canterbury Rd had 300 units and were selling for about $160,000 – roughly equating to $48m altogether.

The court later heard Maguire’s evidence in ICAC about his phone call with Hawatt on May 9, 2016, when he backflipped on his intentions about the deal.

As he left court, Maguire initially said he was unable to comment on proceedings.

“Don’t ask dumb questions,” he then said.

The hearing continues.

Separate ICAC hearings previously revealed Maguire had been in a secret relationship with former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian while both were in state parliament.