Former MP Daryl Maguire has said he will "fight to clear his name" over a charge he conspired to commit visa fraud allowing non-citizens to remain in Australia over a decade ago.
The disgraced ex-NSW Liberal politician appeared at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court on Friday where he pleaded not guilty to the single conspiracy charge.
The 65-year-old was charged in 2022.
He has been accused of conspiring with migration agent Maggie Sining Logan to breach the migration act between January 2013 and August 2015 at Wagga Wagga in western NSW.
The charge relates to false or misleading visa applications which allegedly allowed non-Australians to remain in the country.
Outside court, Maguire told reporters that he would contest the allegation.
"I certainly will fight to clear my name," he said.
However, Maguire's lawyer Jim Harrowell would not let his client answer a question about exactly how he intended to defend the charge.
"I think that we'll leave that to the court," Mr Harrowell told reporters.
The former Liberal MP faces prison time or a maximum fine of $34,000.
Maguire resigned from NSW parliament in 2018 after an anti-corruption inquiry, which later exposed his secret romantic relationship with former premier Gladys Berejiklian.
There is no suggestion Ms Berejiklian was involved in any alleged offence.
In court on Friday, Maguire's barrister Gabrielle Bashir SC fought for an earlier trial date in May, 2025.
"There's a public interest in having this matter finalised as soon as possible," she said.
However, the availability of crown prosecutor Sean Flood means the trial will only begin on September 1 next year.
It will run for an estimated three to five weeks.
Australian Associated Press
