The Labor party membership of Joe Tripodi has been suspended while the ICAC investigates possible corrupt behaviour by the former NSW minister.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption last week announced it was widening its inquiry into the conduct of crooked former Labor kingmaker Eddie Obeid to include the conduct of Mr Tripodi.
The NSW branch of the ALP on Thursday said officials have accepted a request by Mr Tripodi to suspend his membership.
"Mr Tripodi wrote to the NSW branch of the Australian Labor Party stating that whilst maintaining his innocence, he wished to have his party membership suspended while the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigates him as a public official," the NSW ALP said in a statement.
Mr Tripodi told the ICAC last week Obeid didn't inform him of family investments in two restaurants and a cafe at Circular Quay when he was ports minister and responsible for making decisions about the leases.
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The hearing is investigating whether Obeid lobbied state ministers to change the Circular Quay leases.
