Joe Tripodi says he flew by helicopter to Newcastle to discuss ports with businessmen at Nathan Tinkler's Buildev in late 2010 because it was a pet policy area, not because he was their "mate".
As for what Buildev stood to gain by apparently paying $5580 to fly the crooked ex-NSW minister up from Sydney, Mr Tripodi said he believed the company simply wanted to "learn from my knowledge".
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has heard claims Mr Tripodi knew his government faced defeat at the March 2011 election and was trying to line up a post-politics consultancy for himself when he went to visit Buildev on November 19 2010.
But the fallen Macquarie Street powerbroker denied he was doing the company's bidding.
An internal Buildev document relating to the company's push for a lucrative foreshore coal-loader included this note: "Joe - going to get Eric to stop Anglo deal going to board this Thursday."
Days later, a file note from the Newcastle Ports Corporation (NPC) reveals that then ports minister Eric Roozendaal did indeed stop a rival Anglo Ports plan reaching the NPC board.
"The minister said that he found it very hard to accept that (Buildev's plan of) building a coal terminal on that site was anti-competitive and he felt uncomfortable and said he was going to have Treasury review the process," the file note reads.
ICAC counsel assisting Geoffrey Watson SC said the documents spoke for themselves.
"All of the evidence points one way: that you agreed to do this, and you did," Mr Watson said.
"I have no recollection of speaking to Mr Roozendaal about this," Mr Tripodi said.
He said there was a "massive gamut of possibilities" that could explain why Mr Roozendaal might have intervened.
"When you went up to see Buildev, you were there in effect acting as their adviser. You were their mate," Mr Watson said.
"I was there to listen to what they'd like to ask me," Mr Tripodi demurred.
The inquiry continues. Mr Roozendaal is due in the witness box next week.
Share
