Former Liberal Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire
25 September 2020
he Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating if the former member for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire was involved in a ‘cash for visas’ scheme and used his parliamentary position and resources to get visas for Chinese nationals who never turned up for work.
Three Riverina businessmen told ICAC that Mr. Maguire introduced immigration agent Maggie Wang to them. Wang would pay them tens of thousands of dollars in cash to employ Chinese workers that never turned up for the job. The businessmen were paid for supporting the visa applications. The businesses paid wages and superannuation to the visa applicants but that money was reimbursed by Ms. Wang. On top of it they were also paid a cash fee for this service.
One of the businessman told the enquiry that he accepted a $30,000 kickback to employ Chinese nationals. He said that for employing one Chinese national under a rural regional business visa, he would be receive envelopes full of cash along with a training fee of $30,000.
The inquiry has also called Liberal Oatley MP Mark Coure, Ms. Wang and Jock Sowter, director of strategy for Deputy Premier John Barilaro to appear before the commission.
Ms. Wang is an associate of Mr. Maguire. She ran an immigration service offered by G8wayinternational Pty Ltd, of which the former MP was a silent director.
Sydney Morning Herald reported.
