ICAC to call Eddie Obeid to the witness stand - ABC Online

by court reporter Jamelle Wells

Updated February 04, 2013 07:54:50

Former New South Wales Labor minister Eddie Obeid is today expected to face a corruption inquiry after sensational allegations about his family business interests.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry into rigged mining tenders has so far heard allegations the Obeids and their associates stood to profit $100 million from the deals

On, Friday Eddie Obeid's son Moses could not explain how confidential maps came to be in the family's Sydney office and suggested one might have been drawn by Jesus Christ.

Despite being listed as a director of a family trust, Eddie Obeid's wife, Judith, told the ICAC she knows little about the family's business interests.

The inquiry has heard allegations linking the family's properties in the Bylong Valley, in the Upper Hunter, to decisions made by former mining minister Ian Macdonald.

Mr Macdonald is due to give evidence on Thursday.

The ICAC has also heard allegations the Obeids reached an agreement before the last state election to take a secret share in a water company.

New rules for MPs

In light of the sensational allegations being made at the inquiry, New South Wales Labor has introduced new rules to try to stamp out corruption.

From the end of March, state Labor MPs will be required to reveal their full income, keep transparent records and be barred from working a second job.

Labor Leader John Robertson also called for the appointment of an inspector-general for parliamentary standards, to investigate and fine members who breach the parliamentary code.

On the weekend he admitted the new rules are a consequence of the damaging ICAC proceedings.

"These new standards go a long way in demonstrating that Labor had to improve its behaviour and ensure that what we're seeing play out now can't occur in the future,'' he told reporters.

Mr Robertson said the rules mean that if the ICAC finds Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald acted corruptly, they will be expelled from the Labor Party.

The NSW Liberal premier Barry O'Farrell has described the new rules as 'belated posturing'.

Topics: bylong-2849, sydney-2000

First posted February 04, 2013 07:43:36