You’ve more than likely seen Daryl Maguire’s name in the news a lot recently. He is at the centre of an ICAC inquiry that focuses on his relationship with former Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Who is the former Member for Wagga Wagga?
He entered politics in 1999
Daryl Maguire became the local member for Wagga Wagga in southern NSW in 1999 and served in Parliament until his resignation in 2018. During that time, Maguire sat on the backbench but served on multiple committees and as the Government Whip from 2011-2014 (The Whip’s role is to essentially ensure party discipline on matters of legislative business).
He resigned in 2018
In 2018, Maguire resigned from Parliament after he was accused of trying to connect Sydney property developers with a large Chinese firm for a personal profit. Last year, during an ICAC inquiry into Maguire’s conduct, it was revealed that Berejiklian had been in a five-year “personal relationship” with him. The ICAC inquiry heard that Berejiklian had been in a relationship with Maguire since 2014 or 2015 and continued even after she publicly called for his resignation in 2018. In 2020, Maguire admitted he used his positions in Parliament to benefit himself and those acquainted with him.
The ICAC inquiry that concluded yesterday was not specifically investigating Maguire – that all happened last year during a separate inquiry. The reason Maguire has been mentioned so many times (and had to appear at the inquiry) is because the ICAC is specifically looking at the two former parliamentarians’ relationship, and whether there was a breach of public trust on Berejiklian’s behalf. To get up to speed on the inquiry, click here.
