Intercepted phone calls have revealed then NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told Daryl Maguire she would "throw money at Wagga" to keep the seat in Liberal hands after he quit Parliament in disgrace.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) revealed the calls on Thursday during Mr Maguire's testimony before an inquiry into millions of dollars pledged to Wagga during his secret relationship with Ms Berejiklian.
One of the calls took place on July 30, 2018, which was 10 days after Mr Maguire had told Ms Berejiklian he would resign from NSW Parliament following a separate ICAC hearing that revealed his attempts to secure property sales commissions in Sydney.
"I just need to go and chill because you have stressed me out," Ms Berejiklian told Mr Maguire in the call.
"I'll go and chill, you just throw money at Wagga," Mr Maguire responded.
Ms Berejiklian in turn said: "I'll throw money at Wagga, don't you worry about that; lots of it."
Mr Maguire would not formally resign until August 3 that year, with the byelection following on September 8.
Also during the call, Ms Berejiklian told Mr Maguire "you just have to do what's right from your end otherwise you'll kill me".
When asked to explain that remark at ICAC, Mr Maguire said he was being asked to hold up his end of the deal to "shut up and stay out of the campaign" for the seat of Wagga.
The Liberal campaign to retain Wagga ultimately failed, with independent candidate Joe McGirr winning the electorate on preference votes.
Thursday's hearing further revealed Mr Maguire's efforts in advocating for Wagga's $5.5 million Australian Clay Target Association function centre and $10 million to relocate the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.
Mr Maguire emailed Ms Berejiklian to complain that clay target centre delays were "typical of our bullshit government" and the high rent quoted to the conservatorium to use the old RTA building was "outrageous".
Intercepted phone calls revealed Mr Maguire telling Ms Berejiklian that Wagga would be the "blazing star of the southern universe" if his suggested projects were funded.
Mr Maguire told a construction consultant "I've got money put away in the investment infrastructure fund; I've got tens and tens and tens and tens of millions," when discussing how to fund the conservatorium.
Mr Maguire agreed with Counsel assisting ICAC Scott Robertson when asked if he had "more access than others" to Ms Berejiklian in order to advocate for projects.
Mr Maguire told ICAC he wanted a $20 million "world-class" recital hall for the conservatorium so he could retire at the 2019 general election, aid a Liberal victory in Wagga and reveal his relationship with Ms Berejiklian.
IN OTHER NEWS:
In the July 2018 call, Mr Maguire and Ms Berejiklian also discussed his "top three" projects that would help sway the Wagga byelection, such as a new sports stadium, intermodal freight hub and the conservatorium's new recital hall.
"You need and go and give them a stadium," Mr Maguire said in the call.
"I'll do that too. I'll do that too, don't worry," Ms Berejiklian responded.
Mr Maguire went on to say "Well, the bureaucrats knocked it all out; they're idiots".
"Yes, but I can overrule them anyway," Ms Berejiklian responded.
ICAC Assistant Commissioner Ruth McColl asked Mr Maguire if he sent these emails knowing that Ms Berejiklian had the power to remove "roadblocks" in front of the projects and wanting her to take action.
"I wanted her to take an interest in the problem ... ultimately she would have had the power, yes" Mr Maguire responded.
Apart from coordinating with Ms Berejiklian during the failed byelection, Mr Maguire admitted contact with Liberal candidate Julia Ham.
Phone intercepts showed Mr Maguire advised Ms Ham to enter Parliament, stay for a while, then "cause a byelection and you'll get everything you want".
Ms Berejiklian has denied any wrongdoing and is due to appear at ICAC on Friday and Monday.