UPDATE 8PM: Wagga’s influential figures expressed their judgement on whether Daryl Maguire should resign as the Member for Wagga Wagga.
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Mayor Greg Conkey said he was “extremely disappointed” that Maguire had tarnished the city’s reputation.
“I’m concerned about the reputational damage this has caused to this fantastic city,” councillor Conkey said.
“I believe Mr Maguire has got no choice but to resign as Member for Wagga after the revelations I’ve heard today.
“I appreciate what he’s done for this city but I’m extremely disappointed to hear about these allegations and the fact that this happened in 2016.”
Wagga City councillor Paul Funnell said Daryl Maguire has done his job but now he should “immediately" stand down from Parliament.
“I believe the situation is untenable, even as a cross bench and Daryl Maguire should resign immediately,” Cr Funnell said.
“What Wagga needs is a strong advocate that will fight the good fight of the community and people, standing up and representing the region in Parliament, not the other way around.
“This is an opportunity now to finally have a circuit breaker – regardless of what their persuasion is, but to do the right thing by the council and community.”
Wagga City councillor, Dan Hayes, said “I think his position is untenable and he should absolutely resign from Parliament”.
National’s Member of the NSW Legislative Council, Wes Fang, said these allegations are “very concerning.”
“Moving to the cross bench doesn’t necessarily allay the concerns of the public,” Mr Fang said.
“Historically, other people have stood aside and resigned their position, even before anything has been proven.
“So if Daryl decided that was the course of action he would take then I think it would be welcomed.
“If there is a by-election and evidence comes out of ICAC and if the National Party is best placed to hold a seat, then we will run a candidate.”
However, former member, Kay Hull said before she can make a “valued judgement” on whether Daryl Maguire should resign from all duties, she will wait until the ICAC inquiry has finished.
“I would absolutely be waiting until the inquiry has finished to best determine how the Wagga community can be served.”
UPDATE 6PM: Wagga MP Daryl Maguire has resigned from the party room after secret recordings of him discussing kickbacks from property deals were aired at a corruption inquiry.
Mr Maguire, who was elected the Member for Wagga Wagga in 1999, is facing intense pressure from political rivals to vacate the seat following revelations of his conduct.
“I have given my evidence to ICAC, I apologise unreservedly for causing distress and embarrassment to my party,” he said in a statement released just before 6pm.
“I will be speaking to the New South Wales Premier, Gladys Berejiklian and the Deputy Premier John Barilaro immediately concerning today’s proceedings.
“I have resigned from my position as Parliamentary Secretary for the Centenary of ANZAC, Counter Terrorism, Corrections and Veterans effective immediately. I will remove myself from the party room.
“I am deeply sorry and apologise sincerely for any hurt and embarrassment I have caused to my family, friends and colleagues.”
EARLIER: Wagga MP Daryl Maguire has admitted he was interested in seeking a 'dividend' from the potential sale of a multimillion-dollar Sydney property to Chinese developers.
Mr Maguire was secretly recorded in May 2016 speaking with then Canterbury City councillor Michael Hawatt, who is at the centre of an Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation.
The telephone conversation was played at a hearing in Sydney on Friday.
Mr Maguire, who has been the member for Wagga Wagga since 1999, was heard telling Mr Hawatt he had a client with "mega money" who would be interested in the site in Canterbury, which had been approved for 300 units.
He asked the councillor what "margin" he would get from the "quick sale".
"1.5 per cent isn't enough divided by two if you know what I mean?" Mr Maguire said.
"Yeah, I understand. Yeah I do understand," Mr Hawatt said.
Mr Maguire replied: "So three per cent is much better."
Asked to explain what he had meant, Mr Maguire said it appeared he was speaking about "a dividend to be shared by two".
When asked who the other interested person would be, the government backbencher said: "Well, I suspect it was me."
Mr Maguire was recorded saying he needed a "stream" of property deals, including a couple of sites with development approval.
"I need 30 projects."
The company Mr Maguire described in the phone call as a "client" was Country Garden, a Chinese property development company.
The corruption watchdog is investigating claims of improper conduct at the now defunct Canterbury City Council - in particular, the actions of two councillors, Mr Hawatt and Pierre Azzi.
On the back of Mr Maguire's appearance before the inquiry, NSW Labor called for the parliamentary secretary to be sacked.
Acting opposition leader Michael Daley called on the premier to act immediately.
"This is extraordinary ... Mr Maguire has been caught out by his own words and should be removed now," he said in a statement.
- AAP