SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

ICAC inquiry a 'sham' says Obeid

Disgraced former NSW Labor MP Eddie Obeid says the ICAC inquiry which found him corrupt is a sham and he looks forward to facing court.

Obeid looks forward to facing court
Disgraced former Labor MP Eddie Obeid. (AAP)

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Disgraced former NSW Labor minister Eddie Obeid says he's the victim of a "political witch hunt" and looks forward to fighting possible charges in court.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption on Wednesday recommended charges be laid against Mr Obeid, former resources minister Ian Macdonald and several businessmen over their involvement in the Mount Penny coal mine.

But a defiant Mr Obeid says the ICAC inquiry was a "sham".

"The conclusion was expected from the opening statement," he told reporters on Thursday.

The process, he added, was "nothing short of a political witch hunt".

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

He also took a swipe at NSW Labor leader John Robertson and NSW Labor secretary Sam Dastyari for hanging him out to dry, saying they weren't "proper Labor leaders".

"These people wore out the carpet in my office when they wanted something," he told reporters.

"I can't believe these people who I mentored, I got them their jobs, they don't give me the benefit that every other Australian has - innocent until proven guilty."

Mr Obeid said he hopes the DPP accepts ICAC's recommendation and pursues charges in the Supreme Court.

"That's the only way we will be able to bring on the evidence and the truth of what's behind this."

"If (Premier Barry) O'Farrell has got the guts and wants the truth he'll support the DPP and give them more funds and more staff to look at this issue quickly and take it to court."

Mr Macdonald, the man dubbed "Eddie Obeid's left testicle" during the ICAC hearings, was defended by his former ministerial colleague.

"(He's a) professional person and a good politician," Mr Obeid said.

The inquiry had affected his family "very badly", Mr Obeid said.

But he believes he and his son Moses will be vindicated if the matter is taken to court.

There is "nothing in this that finds a smoking gun against anyone," Mr Obeid said of the ICAC report.

"I am not corrupt and I will prove that in a court of law."


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world