Daryl Maguire call to Canterbury councillor central to ICAC allegations, court hears

A secretly recorded phone call between former NSW Liberal MP Daryl Maguire and a councillor about the potential purchase of a multimillion-dollar Sydney property by a Chinese company with “mega money” is central to allegations he misled a corruption inquiry, a court has heard.

Maguire, the former member for Wagga Wagga, has pleaded not guilty to giving misleading evidence as a witness before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on July 13, 2018 in relation to Operation Dasha, which investigated key figures associated with Canterbury City Council.

Prosecutors allege Maguire misled the inquiry by giving evidence that his communications with then-Canterbury councillor Michael Hawatt about the sale of timber yard-turned-development site “Harrisons”, on Canterbury Road in Campsie, were not accompanied by an expectation Maguire would receive a financial benefit.

Maguire greeted waiting cameras as he arrived at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday for the start of his three-day hearing.

“It’s nearly seven years since I was invited by ICAC to give evidence as a witness, and not as a person of interest,” the 65-year-old said outside court. “I’ve always maintained that I did not give misleading evidence. I answered every question to the best of my ability. Today, I’m pleading not guilty.”

Prosecutor Philip Hogan told Magistrate Clare Farnan a covertly recorded call between Maguire and Hawatt on May 9, 2016 was “central” to the Crown case. He said it was “clearly” an indication the pair’s communications about the Harrisons site were accompanied by an expectation Maguire would benefit financially.

Hogan said Maguire, at the time, was “active in facilitating trade and investment on behalf of Chinese investors”, particularly on behalf of Chinese company Country Garden.

In the phone call, played to the court, Maguire asked Hawatt: “What have you got on your books? Have you got anything that’s DA [development application] approved?” Hawatt replied that he had a 300-unit site opposite Canterbury Hospital for around $160,000 each.

Maguire said, “Can you do me a favour? I need a few things to feed my friends” and that they wanted “30 projects rolling”.