Former Wagga MP Daryl Maguire has admitted that a Riverina business, which enjoyed his backing during an investment dispute, had mentioned a board position after he retired.
"There was no formal offer, it was mentioned," Mr Maguire told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Thursday.
Mr Maguire was answering a question about United World Enterprises, or UWE, which had an oaten hay export business in two towns in the NSW Riverina.
UWE managing director Jimmy Liu has previously admitted to ICAC that he paid $1400 and China travel costs to Mr Maguire.
ICAC has heard Mr Maguire threatened to "cause trouble" in China after UWE's Shanghai investor pulled out of Leeton, which is not in the Wagga electorate.
Mr Maguire told NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, his then-secret partner, in September 2017 that he was "trying to fix Jimmy's problem".
Mr Maguire said he did not think Ms Berejiklian met Mr Liu but said "I may have mentioned who Jimmy was".
Mr Maguire said by the time of the board offer in July 2017 he had already decided to retire from Parliament at the 2019 election.
Rex Martinich
Journalist for the Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga covering politics and data. Mobile: 0437 853 137 Email: rex.martinich@dailyadvertiser.com.au
Journalist for the Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga covering politics and data. Mobile: 0437 853 137 Email: rex.martinich@dailyadvertiser.com.au
