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Icac: Barry O’Farrell was lobbied by AWH chief over mine plan Icac: Barry O’Farrell was lobbied by AWH chief over mine plan
(5 months later)
The New South Wales premier, Barry O’Farrell, was lobbied by the chief executive of Australian Water Holdings to approve a controversial mine proposal, Wallarah 2, a corruption inquiry has heard.The New South Wales premier, Barry O’Farrell, was lobbied by the chief executive of Australian Water Holdings to approve a controversial mine proposal, Wallarah 2, a corruption inquiry has heard.
Nick di Girolamo was working for Anconna Resources when he lobbied O’Farrell’s office, though the two did not meet, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) was told.Nick di Girolamo was working for Anconna Resources when he lobbied O’Farrell’s office, though the two did not meet, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) was told.
Icac is investigating AWH and a potential deal which would have made directors and shareholders millions of dollars, including members of the Obeid family and Arthur Sinodinos, who has stood down as assistant treasurer while the inquiry takes place.Icac is investigating AWH and a potential deal which would have made directors and shareholders millions of dollars, including members of the Obeid family and Arthur Sinodinos, who has stood down as assistant treasurer while the inquiry takes place.
Stacey Pittendrigh, personal assistant to di Girolamo, told the inquiry that her boss lobbied O’Farrell when he was working for Anconna Resources, as well as a Liberal MP, Chris Hartcher, and possibly Chris Spence, another Liberal MP, on behalf of Korean coalminer Kores. Stacey Pittendrigh, personal assistant to di Girolamo, told the inquiry that her boss lobbied O’Farrell when he was working for Anconna Resources, as well as a Liberal MP, Chris Hartcher, and possibly Chris Spence, another Liberal MP, on behalf of Korean coalminer Kores.
“I believe I may have sent through a form to request for a meeting, yes,” she said when asked if di Girolamo tried to meet O’Farrell.“I believe I may have sent through a form to request for a meeting, yes,” she said when asked if di Girolamo tried to meet O’Farrell.
Asked if the meeting ever happened, Pittendrigh replied: “I don’t think so, I know it was quite hard to get in to see him.”Asked if the meeting ever happened, Pittendrigh replied: “I don’t think so, I know it was quite hard to get in to see him.”
Wallarah 2 is a proposed $800m coalmine in Wyong on the NSW central coast. In opposition O’Farrell said the Liberal/Nationals coalition would not approve the mine, but the application has been progressing with the planning assessment commission yet to make a decision on it.Wallarah 2 is a proposed $800m coalmine in Wyong on the NSW central coast. In opposition O’Farrell said the Liberal/Nationals coalition would not approve the mine, but the application has been progressing with the planning assessment commission yet to make a decision on it.
AWH’s external auditor, Ian George, was also told on Wednesday morning he may become a person of interest in the inquiry after his evidence the day before.AWH’s external auditor, Ian George, was also told on Wednesday morning he may become a person of interest in the inquiry after his evidence the day before.
Counsel assisting the commission, Geoffrey Watson, said he had been of the opinion that George had done nothing wrong. "Quite frankly I am no longer of that opinion,” he said, telling George he would be recalled to give more evidence next week.Counsel assisting the commission, Geoffrey Watson, said he had been of the opinion that George had done nothing wrong. "Quite frankly I am no longer of that opinion,” he said, telling George he would be recalled to give more evidence next week.
George was an external auditor who signed off on the expenses that AWH billed to Sydney Water. Among them were accommodation in the Cairns Sofitel hotel, flights to Queensland, limousine rides and cab charges in Brisbane despite the fact that AWH’s business with Sydney Water involved laying sewerage pipes in Sydney.George was an external auditor who signed off on the expenses that AWH billed to Sydney Water. Among them were accommodation in the Cairns Sofitel hotel, flights to Queensland, limousine rides and cab charges in Brisbane despite the fact that AWH’s business with Sydney Water involved laying sewerage pipes in Sydney.
George told the commission on Tuesday that in hindsight some of the claims should not have been approved. “I can only assume it’s a mistake,” George said, when asked why flights to Queensland were approved as expenses to be charged to Sydney Water.George told the commission on Tuesday that in hindsight some of the claims should not have been approved. “I can only assume it’s a mistake,” George said, when asked why flights to Queensland were approved as expenses to be charged to Sydney Water.
An Obeid associate, Joseph Georges, also took the stand on Wednesday, giving evidence about the $1m he had lent to AWH.An Obeid associate, Joseph Georges, also took the stand on Wednesday, giving evidence about the $1m he had lent to AWH.
When asked about the terms and conditions of the loan Georges said: “I was told by Nick di Girolamo they were in mediation with Sydney Water and I got a bit excited because Sydney Water is a big utilities company. He said he would pay it back double.”When asked about the terms and conditions of the loan Georges said: “I was told by Nick di Girolamo they were in mediation with Sydney Water and I got a bit excited because Sydney Water is a big utilities company. He said he would pay it back double.”
Georges has so far got back about $100,000 of the loan as well as $33,000 in interest and told the commission he never had a timetable for when the money would be repaid.Georges has so far got back about $100,000 of the loan as well as $33,000 in interest and told the commission he never had a timetable for when the money would be repaid.
The hearing continues.The hearing continues.