A court has heard 20 applications containing false or misleading information were lodged with the Department of Immigration as part of an alleged fraudulent visa scheme involving former NSW MP Daryl Maguire.
Mr Maguire has pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit an offence over his alleged involvement in the scheme between 2013 and 2015, while he was the Liberal Party Member for Wagga Wagga.
The 67-year-old is accused of knowing incorrect information would be provided to the Commonwealth and recruiting businesses in the Riverina region to participate in the venture.
Judge Ian Bourke SC will preside over the expected five-week trial.
During his opening address to jury members on Wednesday afternoon, Crown prosecutor Sean Flood SC told the court conspiracy was a “continuing offence”.
“[It is] an agreement between two or more people to do an unlawful act,” he said.
Mr Flood told the court Mr Maguire was accused of working with associate Maggie Wang, also known as Maggie Logan, and migration agent Monica Hao on the scheme, which involved Chinese nationals seeking permanent residency.
The court heard the initiative involved two sponsored visa streams, in which a sponsoring business would pay the wage of the applicant and provide them with full-time employment for two years.
The Crown alleges businesses recruited by Mr Maguire agreed to the terms on the understanding that they would be paid in cash an initial $1,000 for signing up, $20,000 if a visa was granted and that the family of the applicant would subsidise their wages for three months.
The court heard in some instances, applicants never attended the sponsoring business.
Daryl Maguire served as Member for Wagga Wagga. (ABC Riverina: Melinda Hayter)
‘Just nod and say thank-you’
Mr Flood said a large part of the trial would involve hearing from business operators in the Riverina who were approached or participated in the scheme, as well as officials from the Department of Immigration.
He said 20 applications involving 10 individuals and eight businesses were lodged.
The court was read excerpts of emails sent from Mr Maguire about the scheme in 2013.
One was in response to concerns raised about the initiative.
“Just nod and say thank-you,” it said.
Another described the scheme as “all legit” and said, “You get a pre-signed resignation letter as insurance.”
The court was also told of another exchange between Mr Maguire and a business owner, who raised concerns about being paid in cash.
“I don’t want to know about it,” Mr Maguire is alleged to have responded.
The court will hear an opening address from Mr Maguire’s barrister Ian McLachlan on Thursday.
