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National

Former MP Daryl Maguire fronts Sydney court on visa and migration fraud charges

Former MP Daryl Maguire has appeared before a Sydney court for the first time after he was charged over an alleged visa and migration fraud that took place while he was sitting in the NSW parliament.

The former Wagga Wagga MP was charged with conspiracy last November, over an alleged migration scheme with Maggie Sining Logan, between January 2013 and August 2015.

In court documents, federal prosecutors allege the pair furnished documents for visa applications which contained "statements or information that was false or misleading", allowing non-citizens to remain in Australia.

Mr Maguire fronted Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, where the matter was adjourned until March 21.

He has not yet entered a plea to the charges. 

Outside court, the 63-year-old told reporters he was feeling "well".

His lawyer Jim Harrowell said it was unclear what pleas would be entered.

"We've just been given a copy of the brief [of evidence], so we haven't actually seen the prosecution case as yet," Mr Harrowell said.

"Once I have read that we will know what to do."

The co-accused, Ms Logan, has been charged with 12 counts of making a false document. 

Under Mr Maguire's strict bail conditions, he was required to hand in his passport and cannot go within 500 metres of an international airport.

Mr Maguire resigned from the Liberal Party in 2018.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption's (ICAC) Operation Keppel investigated Mr Maguire's conduct during his time as the member for Wagga Wagga.

The inquiry looked at allegations he was involved in a "cash-for-visas" scheme through a company called G8way International.

Public hearings for Operation Keppel in 2020 also revealed the secret "close personal relationship" between Mr Maguire and former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Ms Berejiklian is not accused of wrongdoing.

ICAC is yet to release its final report on Operation Keppel.

The corruption watchdog last month said it was unlikely to release the findings of its investigation before the March state election.

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