This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/26/sinodinos-likely-to-escape-being-labelled-as-corrupt
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Arthur Sinodinos is unlikely to be found corrupt, Icac says | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Arthur Sinodinos is unlikely to be found corrupt over his stint as a director of the Obeid-linked company Australian Water Holdings, the corruption commissioner suggested on Wednesday. | |
| As Sinodinos’s barrister was forced to apologise for calling a key witness a “smartarse”, Megan Latham told the Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing in Sydney that she did not think the federal assistant treasurer would be found corrupt. | As Sinodinos’s barrister was forced to apologise for calling a key witness a “smartarse”, Megan Latham told the Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing in Sydney that she did not think the federal assistant treasurer would be found corrupt. |
| “As things presently stand I have some difficulty in seeing how that could occur,” she said. | “As things presently stand I have some difficulty in seeing how that could occur,” she said. |
| “…just as likely there may be opportunity for Mr Sinodinos to restore his reputation to the extent it’s been damaged by media speculation.” | “…just as likely there may be opportunity for Mr Sinodinos to restore his reputation to the extent it’s been damaged by media speculation.” |
| However, Latham said later that her comments should not be seen as making her judgment a foregone conclusion and that there was still relevant evidence to be heard. | However, Latham said later that her comments should not be seen as making her judgment a foregone conclusion and that there was still relevant evidence to be heard. |
| Icac has heard that Sinodinos was on a salary of $200,000 for 100 hours of work per year and stood to gain between $10m and $20m if AWH entered a lucrative deal with the NSW government. | Icac has heard that Sinodinos was on a salary of $200,000 for 100 hours of work per year and stood to gain between $10m and $20m if AWH entered a lucrative deal with the NSW government. |
| The hearing flared during the appearance of Rod de Aboitiz, a key witness who last week said that he warned Sinodinos – who has stood down as assistant treasurer for the duration of the Icac hearing – that AWH was running up large debts. | The hearing flared during the appearance of Rod de Aboitiz, a key witness who last week said that he warned Sinodinos – who has stood down as assistant treasurer for the duration of the Icac hearing – that AWH was running up large debts. |
| During his cross examination by Sinodinos’s barrister, Tony Bannon, de Aboitiz said AWH was also behind on statutory payments such as superannuation and payroll taxes. | During his cross examination by Sinodinos’s barrister, Tony Bannon, de Aboitiz said AWH was also behind on statutory payments such as superannuation and payroll taxes. |
| De Aboitiz said he warned Sinodinos against worrying about “soft costs” when there were much more important costs that needed to be paid, such as taxes. | De Aboitiz said he warned Sinodinos against worrying about “soft costs” when there were much more important costs that needed to be paid, such as taxes. |
| He did not give specific examples of the soft costs AWH was paying but said as a scenario if he did not pay the Liberal party an owed donation then they might not invite him to the next function, but there were more serious consequences of not paying a bill to the Australian Tax Office. | He did not give specific examples of the soft costs AWH was paying but said as a scenario if he did not pay the Liberal party an owed donation then they might not invite him to the next function, but there were more serious consequences of not paying a bill to the Australian Tax Office. |
| De Aboitiz repeatedly referred to Sinodinos as the former minister during his evidence, prompting Bannon to mutter “smartarse” under his breath, which was picked up clearly by microphones. | De Aboitiz repeatedly referred to Sinodinos as the former minister during his evidence, prompting Bannon to mutter “smartarse” under his breath, which was picked up clearly by microphones. |
| After an objection had been raised, Bannon said it was a “disgusting” proposition. | After an objection had been raised, Bannon said it was a “disgusting” proposition. |
| “If I muttered something under my breath I withdraw it,” he said. | “If I muttered something under my breath I withdraw it,” he said. |
| At the end of his questioning of de Aboitiz, Bannon apologised profusely for the remark. | At the end of his questioning of de Aboitiz, Bannon apologised profusely for the remark. |
| De Aboitiz told the hearing he had been recalled at great inconvenience to himself, and his counsel, Andrew Kostopoulos, argued that the former Rothschild chief financial officer should not have to appear again. | De Aboitiz told the hearing he had been recalled at great inconvenience to himself, and his counsel, Andrew Kostopoulos, argued that the former Rothschild chief financial officer should not have to appear again. |
| Latham rejected the request, saying de Aboitiz had to clarify his earlier evidence about his warnings to Sinodinos. | Latham rejected the request, saying de Aboitiz had to clarify his earlier evidence about his warnings to Sinodinos. |