Court told former MP knew lying was 'part and parcel' of visa scheme

The trial of Daryl Maguire has been told there is clear evidence the former Wagga Wagga MP knew "lying to Immigration [was] part and parcel" of a fraudulent visa scheme he was allegedly involved in.

The 67-year-old is accused of knowing that false or misleading information would be provided to the Commonwealth on visa applications, permitting non-citizens to remain in Australia.

A jury has heard this happened between 2013 and 2015, when Mr Maguire was a sitting MP.

He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit an offence over his involvement in the initiative, which allegedly involved him recruiting businesses — primarily in his former electorate — to sponsor Chinese nationals seeking permanent residency.

After 10 days of witness evidence in the NSW District Court, Crown Prosecutor Sean Flood SC today gave his closing address.

Mr Flood referred the jury to thousands of text messages and emails tendered to the court, between Mr Maguire and his alleged co-conspirator Maggie Wang (also known as Maggie Logan) and her associate migration agent, Monica Hao.

"Mr Maguire knows Ms Wang is involved in migration matters," Mr Flood said.

"[He is] is clearly informed there is paperwork involved and that is Ms Hao's role.

"There is a pattern of them working together over time."

Throughout the trial, multiple witnesses told the court they received cash payments for participating in or attending meetings relating to the scheme.

The court also heard some of the potential employers never met the visa applicants, nor did they ever work for the business.

Mr Flood told the jury that Mr Maguire's role as a rural parliamentarian meant he would have known during the period under scrutiny that you could not "buy a visa".

"Mr Maguire has been told lying to [the Department of] Immigration is part and parcel of the scheme,"

he said.

Mr Flood acknowledged Mr Maguire did not submit any of the visa-related forms to the Commonwealth, and said the Crown made no allegation the use of cash was illegal.

However, he noted that "cash payments are less easily identified".

The court also heard there was evidence Mr Maguire and Ms Wang were regularly communicating, referencing invitations to lunch, visits to NSW Parliament House, a stay at Mr Maguire's house and a visit to the Henty Field Days in southern NSW.

Mr Maguire's barrister, Ian McLachlan, gave the jury an overview of his closing address, which will be delivered on Thursday.

"Mr Maguire referred prospective employers to Maggie Wang, there's nothing wrong in that," he said.

"Thereafter the baton was passed to Maggie and others."

Mr McLachlan also referenced comments he made during his opening address, regarding the complexity of the visa system.

He said a text message from Mr Maguire to Ms Wang, stating she would be responsible for immigration as part of the scheme, proved he was not involved in furnishing any documents.

The trial continues.