The Department of Home Affairs is investigating a cash-for-visas scheme tied to former NSW state Liberal MP Daryl Maguire.
The former Wagga Wagga MP last week told the NSW anti-corruption commission he had used his public office for personal profit, including receiving thousands of dollars through the visa scheme.
Appearing before a Senate estimates committee on Monday morning, Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo revealed his department is examining representations made by Mr Maguire to his department relating to visas.
Mr Pezzullo said a “parallel” investigation is being run with the Independent Commission Against Corruption to get to the bottom of the concerns.
Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs Mike Pezzullo speaks during a Senate inquiry at Parliament House in Canberra. Source: AAP
“As is the case, federal and state and territory representative members occasionally make representations either directly to the department either by way of direct reference to me or to officers within the department or by way of federal members of parliament,” Mr Pezzullo said.
The NSW corruption watchdog last week heard Mr Maguire had introduced several Riverina companies to a migration agent for the purpose of organising visas for Chinese nationals.
Mr Pezzullo said his department was reviewing how many visas were connected to the scheme and potential penalties for those involved.
“I'm sure that we will get the fact of how many visas - relating to how many physical persons over what time period,” he said.
“We'll be taking action I can assure you independently and in any event.”
He said schemes of this nature undermine the public's trust in the migration system.
Under the scheme, visa applicants allegedly paid the first three months of their wages and commissions of up to $20,000, the inquiry heard.
Mr Maguire told the anti-corruption commission that businesses would host workers and provide training but then give the wages back.
On more than one occasion, the inquiry heard Mr Maguire accepted delivery of thousands of dollars of cash to his parliamentary office linked to the scheme.
He told commissioner Ruth McColl he became suspicious in early 2013 that the process wasn't legitimate.
