Mr Maguire used that answer, or a very similar answer, to admit the central allegations that ICAC had spent two years investigating, followed by 19 days of putting them to the test at public hearings.

Counsel assisting ICAC Scott Robertson asked Mr Maguire at the end of yesterday's hearing if he had improperly used his public office and position for personal gain, and that he had breached public trust.

After three lengthy days in the witness box, Mr Maguire said he agreed in two-word responses to both questions.

There are another two words that Mr Maguire should say: I'm sorry.

The last time Mr Maguire apologised was two years ago in a Facebook video that was quickly deleted.

Now that he has admitted to new allegations of corruption in public office, Mr Maguire should say he is sorry to the people of the city and electorate of Wagga.

He should say sorry for spending so much time in meetings and lunches and dinners while bending over backwards to work for extremely wealthy people who lived hundreds of kilometres outside his electorate.

He should say sorry for dragging Wagga and its people through the mud and, in doing so, creating a risk that this city's name will become a by-word for inept corruption and pungent sleaze.

He should say sorry for flying around the South Pacific at the behest of Chinese investors and their allure of personal profit.

He might consider forgiving himself for completely overwhelming any positive legacy he could have left behind, including upgraded hospitals and new schools.

Most people have experienced financial troubles in their lives and it cannot be pleasant to confront a $1.5 million debt in the later stages of your life.

However, Mr Maguire chose to exploit his position of public trust and governmental responsibility for attempted shortcuts to either solve his personal problems or, in his own words, to make "big money".