Home Affairs assisting ICAC with Daryl Maguire’s cash for visas ‘scam’
Scott Morrison says he never spoke to fallen former NSW MP Daryl Maguire - who was running a cash-for-visas ring - while he was Immigration Minister.
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Disgraced former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire did not contact Prime Minister Scott Morrison when he was Immigration Minister about visas.
Mr Maguire was allegedly involved in a cash-for-visas “scam” at the time Mr Morrison was Immigration Minister, but a spokesman for the prime minister confirmed there had been no contact between the pair at any time.
“The PMO has been advised by the Department of Home Affairs that a first, complete search of its database did not identify any correspondence from Daryl Maguire or the business G8wayinternational Pty Ltd to the Prime Minister in his former role as Immigration Minister,” the spokesman said.
“Additional searches conducted in the PMO indicate the Prime Minister has not received any such correspondence in his current role.”
HOME AFFAIRS PROBING ‘CASH FOR VISAS’ SCAM
At the same time Mr Maguire was allegedly running a cash-for-visas “scam” individuals associated with his operation had already come to the attention of Home Affairs a senate estimates committee has heard.
Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo confirmed his department was assisting ICAC with their inquiries, and his “preliminary” advice was that Mr Maguire had personally made representations at a federal level about visas.
“I believe that to be the case, and I’ve asked for further particulars to be established,” Mr Pezzullo said.
Mr Pezullo also confirmed others connected to Mr Maguire’s scheme had previously been flagged by his department.
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“In checking the matters that are currently before ICAC I can advise this committee, that certain individuals, not Mr Maguire himself, but certain individuals if you will, associated with the matter ... have come to attention previously,” he said.
Mr Pezzullo said the department had not yet been able to determine how many individuals or companies were involved in Mr Maguire’s operation.
“I’m sure that we will get to the point of working out how many visas, related to how many physical persons over what time period (were involved),” he said.
“If it’s pertinent to the enforcement of federal laws, we’ll be taking action.”
Mr Pezzullo said he was not able to “shed any light” on whether the people who received visas under Mr Maguire’s scheme were still in Australia or complying with the conditions of their visas.
He said the department was currently focused on “assisting ICAC at their request,” but would not hesitate to launch their own internal investigation if necessary.