Former Wagga MP questioned over corruption allegations including that he misused public office to broker property deals in western Sydney that would financially benefit him. Watch and follow the live stream
• Berejiklian faces questions about meeting with convicted criminals
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• Richard Ackland: NSW would be a more unsavoury place without Icac
2.20am BST
While Maguire has been giving evidence, Gladys Berejiklian has given her regular Covid-19 press conference, which at times became testy when it inevitably moved to the subject of the Icac hearings.
She said she had been “overwhelmed” by support from the public and again repeated her insistence that she “would be the first one to admit if I had done something wrong, but I have not”.
I will not have innuendo, incorrect statements put to me which I have found offensive, but in due course I have accepted to answer everything, because it is in the public interest for the public to have confidence in me, and that’s why I’ve been very, very open about things that are very difficult to talk about.”
If any of us had known he’d been doing that since 2012 … of course we would have reported it. But obviously he fooled a lot of people.
2.14am BST
Robertson is now asking Maguire about the cash-for-visa scheme Maguire established with his business associate Maggie Wang. We’ve previously heard the scheme paid businesses to employ Chinese nationals who never actually worked, and then G8Way received a fee.
Robertson:
Your role in that particular immigration matter was to identify businesses usually in or around the Wagga area as potential nominators or sponsors of Chinese nationals who might seek visas?
Yes … some of these people were met at functions and events and things and I can’t be clear if I introduced them directly but in some way shape or form through my network they would [have been].
Is it right that the arrangement was G8Way would be entitled to a fee for facilitating each immigration placement?
Yes
And how much was that fee?
My recollection is that it varies.
Was there a usual fee?
Somewhere between 10 and 15 [thousand], I thought.
You wanted to keep your involvement in G8Way off the books?
Yes.
Continue reading…Former Wagga MP questioned over corruption allegations including that he misused public office to broker property deals in western Sydney that would financially benefit him. Watch and follow the live stream• Berejiklian faces questions about meeting with convicted criminals• Maguire asked business associate to delete messages and emails• Anne Davies: the Liberals have failed to learn from Labor’s mistakes• Richard Ackland: NSW would be a more unsavoury place without Icac 2.20am BSTWhile Maguire has been giving evidence, Gladys Berejiklian has given her regular Covid-19 press conference, which at times became testy when it inevitably moved to the subject of the Icac hearings. She said she had been “overwhelmed” by support from the public and again repeated her insistence that she “would be the first one to admit if I had done something wrong, but I have not”.I will not have innuendo, incorrect statements put to me which I have found offensive, but in due course I have accepted to answer everything, because it is in the public interest for the public to have confidence in me, and that’s why I’ve been very, very open about things that are very difficult to talk about.” If any of us had known he’d been doing that since 2012 … of course we would have reported it. But obviously he fooled a lot of people. 2.14am BSTRobertson is now asking Maguire about the cash-for-visa scheme Maguire established with his business associate Maggie Wang. We’ve previously heard the scheme paid businesses to employ Chinese nationals who never actually worked, and then G8Way received a fee. Robertson: Your role in that particular immigration matter was to identify businesses usually in or around the Wagga area as potential nominators or sponsors of Chinese nationals who might seek visas?Yes … some of these people were met at functions and events and things and I can’t be clear if I introduced them directly but in some way shape or form through my network they would [have been]. Is it right that the arrangement was G8Way would be entitled to a fee for facilitating each immigration placement?YesAnd how much was that fee?My recollection is that it varies.Was there a usual fee?Somewhere between 10 and 15 [thousand], I thought.You wanted to keep your involvement in G8Way off the books? Yes. Continue reading…