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Eddie Obeid to be prosecuted over Circular Quay corruption allegations Eddie Obeid to be prosecuted over Circular Quay corruption allegations
(about 1 hour later)
Former New South Wales Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid has been served with a notice to appear in court to be prosecuted for misconduct in public office.Former New South Wales Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid has been served with a notice to appear in court to be prosecuted for misconduct in public office.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) served the notice to Obeid on Thursday afternoon after the former Labor minister Ian Macdonald was informed he was being prosecuted over corrupt conduct.The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) served the notice to Obeid on Thursday afternoon after the former Labor minister Ian Macdonald was informed he was being prosecuted over corrupt conduct.
Obeid is accused of influencing the Maritime Authority of NSW to deal favourably with Circular Quay Restaurants Pty Ltd, a company of which his family was the effective owner, over the company’s restaurant tenancies at Sydney’s Circular Quay.Obeid is accused of influencing the Maritime Authority of NSW to deal favourably with Circular Quay Restaurants Pty Ltd, a company of which his family was the effective owner, over the company’s restaurant tenancies at Sydney’s Circular Quay.
On Thursday afternoon Obeid told media outside his home he would plead not guilty.On Thursday afternoon Obeid told media outside his home he would plead not guilty.
“Innocent in every instance,” he told reporters outside his mansion in Sydney’s Hunters Hill.
“Those inquiries were nothing but sham inquiries that wanted to make Icac look good.”
He said Icac had “a lot to answer”.
“We have our complaints and we’ll see how they handle that,” he said.
“I have no concern whatsoever that in a court of law we’ll be able to fight the evidence and I’m very confident,” he told the ABC.“I have no concern whatsoever that in a court of law we’ll be able to fight the evidence and I’m very confident,” he told the ABC.
Various investigations have made numerous corruption findings against Obeid. Icac found Obeid acted corruptly by lobbying former ministers and the Maritime Authority to extend the restaurant and cafe leases at Circular Quay.Various investigations have made numerous corruption findings against Obeid. Icac found Obeid acted corruptly by lobbying former ministers and the Maritime Authority to extend the restaurant and cafe leases at Circular Quay.
Obeid did not disclose his interests and his sons’ interests in the cafes while lobbying for them, the commission found. He also accepted a $50,000 donation to the Australian Labor party from other leaseholders on the understanding their interests would be looked after by the then-Labor state government, it found.Obeid did not disclose his interests and his sons’ interests in the cafes while lobbying for them, the commission found. He also accepted a $50,000 donation to the Australian Labor party from other leaseholders on the understanding their interests would be looked after by the then-Labor state government, it found.
In November Obeid told the commission he had not disclosed his sons’ interests in the business because he wanted his lobbying to be taken on “merit”.In November Obeid told the commission he had not disclosed his sons’ interests in the business because he wanted his lobbying to be taken on “merit”.
A court attendance notice was served to Obeid on the advice from the NSW director of public prosecutions (DPP).A court attendance notice was served to Obeid on the advice from the NSW director of public prosecutions (DPP).
The matter is listed for mention at the Downing Centre local court on 18 December.The matter is listed for mention at the Downing Centre local court on 18 December.
It comes five months after Obeid dismissed the chances of the NSW DPP taking up a case against him.
“I would probably give it one per cent. If it, when it does turn up, if ever it will turn up in a court of law, we will defend it vigorously because we are innocent of any of the allegations which Icac have brought up,” he said at the time.
Macdonald faces prosecution over granting a coal mining exploration licence in the Hunter valley to Doyles Creek Mining, a company owned by former mining union official John Maitland, without putting out a tender.Macdonald faces prosecution over granting a coal mining exploration licence in the Hunter valley to Doyles Creek Mining, a company owned by former mining union official John Maitland, without putting out a tender.
Macdonald announced the mine in a press release on Christmas Eve 2008 and Maitland made $15m from a $160,000 investment.Macdonald announced the mine in a press release on Christmas Eve 2008 and Maitland made $15m from a $160,000 investment.
Icac found Macdonald acted corruptly, for the third time, over the approval in a report handed down last year.Icac found Macdonald acted corruptly, for the third time, over the approval in a report handed down last year.
Maitland is also being prosecuted for two counts of being an accessory before the fact to misconduct in public office and for giving false and misleading evidence to Icac.Maitland is also being prosecuted for two counts of being an accessory before the fact to misconduct in public office and for giving false and misleading evidence to Icac.
NSW Liberal premier Mike Baird said he was pleased to see Icac doing its work when asked about Macdonald’s prosecution.
“[It’s] about time,” he said.
“If someone does the wrong thing, if they abuse public office, if they act in their own interests, if they undertake corrupt activity, well, there are consequences.”