Former Wagga Wagga MP faces jury verdict in visa fraud trial

Closing arguments have commenced in the NSW District Court trial of Daryl Maguire, the former Member for Wagga Wagga, who stands accused of orchestrating a fraudulent visa scheme that prosecutors allege operated between 2013 and 2015 while he held parliamentary office.

The 67-year-old has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit an offence. Crown Prosecutor Sean Flood SC told the jury on Wednesday that evidence clearly demonstrates Mr Maguire understood that "lying to Immigration [was] part and parcel" of the alleged scheme.

The allegations

According to prosecutors, Mr Maguire allegedly recruited businesses—primarily within his former electorate—to sponsor Chinese nationals seeking permanent residency in Australia. The Crown contends he knowingly facilitated the provision of false or misleading information to the Commonwealth on visa applications, thereby permitting non-citizens to remain in Australia unlawfully.

The trial has heard from witnesses over 10 days, with prosecutors presenting thousands of text messages as evidence of Mr Maguire's involvement and knowledge of the scheme's fraudulent nature.

The Crown case centres on Mr Maguire's alleged understanding that false information would be submitted to immigration authorities as part of the visa sponsorship process.

Defence case to follow

Mr Maguire's barrister, Ian McLachlan, is scheduled to deliver the defence closing address on Thursday before the jury retires to deliberate on a verdict. The defence case has yet to present its closing submissions to the court.

Significance for NSW Parliament

The case has attracted significant scrutiny given Mr Maguire's position as a sitting MP during the period alleged for the offences. His prosecution represents one of the more serious integrity matters involving a former NSW parliamentarian in recent years, raising questions about parliamentary accountability and the oversight of members' external business activities.

The trial's outcome will be closely watched by political observers and the community in the Riverina region, where Mr Maguire represented constituents for over a decade before his retirement from state parliament.

Original reporting: ABC News