Daryl Maguire

Daryl William Maguire (born 25 March 1959) is a former Australian politician who was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Wagga Wagga for the Liberal Party from 1999 to 2018. On 30 March 2011, Maguire was appointed to Government Whip in the O'Farrell-Stoner Liberal/National coalition government; he had been Opposition Whip for the Coalition since 2003.[2] On 13 July 2018, after admitting at a corruption inquiry that he sought payment over a property deal, Maguire resigned from the Liberal Party and resigned from Parliament on 3 August. Between 2013 and August 2020, Maguire had a close personal relationship with Gladys Berejiklian, who became Premier of New South Wales during that time.

Daryl Maguire
Maguire in 2009 at the official opening of a Bunnings Warehouse store in Wagga Wagga
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Wagga Wagga
In office 27 March 1999 – 3 August 2018
Preceded by	Joe Schipp
Succeeded by	Joe McGirr
Personal details
Born	Daryl William Maguire 25 March 1959 Hay, New South Wales[1]
Political party	Independent (July – August 2018)
Other political affiliations	Liberal (until July 2018)
Spouse(s)	Maureen Maguire (divorced)
Children	2

Early years and background

Maguire has an extensive involvement with local community organisations.[2] He was married to Maureen Maguire and has two children.[2][3] Prior to his election to parliament, Maguire worked as a local store proprietor and franchisee.[4] Maguire was previously an advisor to the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China.[5]

Political career

Maguire was elected to represent Wagga Wagga in 1999 following the retirement of long-standing member, Joe Schipp. Maguire held the seat comfortably whilst in opposition. In 2003, he was elected Opposition Whip and, after the 2011 state election, became Government Whip.[6]

At the 2011 state election, Maguire was challenged by Dr Joe McGirr, a local doctor and Director of the Emergency Department at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. Maguire suffered a swing against the Liberal Party of 5.5 points, although won the seat comfortably with 52.5 per cent of the two-party vote.[4][7]

In July 2018, Maguire was drawn into an inquiry (Operation Dasha) by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) regarding possible corruption involving the former Canterbury Council, through his association with former councillor Michael Hawatt. It was alleged that Maguire had acted on behalf of a "mega big" Chinese client, asking for help in buying into development-approved projects, in return for a commission from the developer for both himself and Hawatt.[8] As a consequence, Maguire resigned from the Liberal Party, and from his roles Parliamentary Secretary for the Centenary of ANZAC, Counter Terrorism, Corrections and Veterans.[9] After initially refusing to resign from Parliament,[10] he announced he would do so before its next sitting.[11] Maguire tendered his resignation to the Speaker of the Legislative of Assembly on the afternoon of 3 August 2018.[12] At the ensuing by-election held on 3 September, the Liberals lost almost half of their primary vote from 2015, allowing independent Joe McGirr to end the Liberals' 61-year hold on Wagga Wagga.

The ICAC, during the course of Operation Dasha, intercepted a series of telephone calls that resulted in a separate inquiry (Operation Keppel) into the conduct of Maguire. Specifically, the ICAC sought to inquire whether, between 2012 and 2018, Maguire engaged in conduct that involved a breach of public trust by using his public office, involving his duties as a Member of Parliament, as a Parliamentary Secretary, and as Chair of the NSW Parliament Asia Pacific Friendship Group to improperly gain a benefit for himself and/or entities close to him.[13] Appearing before the ICAC on 14 October 2020, Maguire admitted that he used his position as an Member of Parliament and as a Parliamentary Secretary to make money for himself and his associates.[14][15] Appearing before the same ICAC inquiry, Gladys Berejiklian, the Premier of New South Wales, agreed that she had been in a "close personal relationship" with Maguire from 2015 until August 2020.[16][17] Operation Keppel is ongoing.

References

1. "Hay Mobile Children's Service". Parliament of New South Wales. 3 April 2008. Archived from the original on 2 April 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
2. "Mr Daryl William Maguire (1959 - )". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
3. "Disgraced MP Daryl Maguire's role in Joel Fitzgibbon scandal revealed". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
4. Green, Antony (5 April 2011). "Wagga Wagga". NSW Votes 2011. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
5. Australian Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China. "Brief introduction of the Australian Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China". ACPPRC. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
6. Grimson, Ken (28 March 2011). "Maguire aims to boot Labor". The Daily Advertiser. p. 3.
7. "State Electoral District of Wagga Wagga". Legislative Assembly election 2011. Electoral Commission of New South Wales. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
8. Saulwick, Jacob (13 July 2018). "'My client is mega big': ICAC plays secret recording of Lib MP". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
9. "NSW MP under pressure to quit politics". news.com.au. Australian Associated Press. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
10. Visentin, Lisa (16 July 2018). "'I won't resign': Disgraced MP Daryl Maguire refuses to quit after ICAC appearance". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
11. Smith, Georgina Mitchell, Alexandra (21 July 2018). "Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire to resign, Gladys Berejiklian says". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
12. Fitzpatrick, Stephen (3 August 2018). "Disgraced NSW MP Daryl Maguire resigns". The Australian. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
13. "Operation Keppel Opening Statement". Former NSW MP for Wagga Wagga – allegations concerning breach of public trust to improperly gain a benefit (Operation Keppel). NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
14. Cormack, Lucy (14 October 2020). "'Yes': Daryl Maguire admits accepting cash, monetising office as MP, ICAC hears". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
15. Nguyen, Kevin; Cockburn, Paige (14 October 2020). "NSW ICAC inquiry: Daryl Maguire admits accepting cash for visa scheme on first day of ICAC evidence, Gladys Berejiklian fights for job". ABC News. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
16. Pezet, Lauren (12 October 2020). "Who is Daryl Maguire? The man who Gladys Berejiklian had a close relationship with for five years". ABC News. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
17. Gorman, Verity (12 October 2020). "Premier Gladys Berejiklian tells ICAC she had 'close personal relationship' with former MP Daryl Maguire". ABC Riverina. Retrieved 12 October 2020.