The dealings of the former NSW Labor government are back in the spotlight as former premier Kristina Keneally appeared in a Sydney court to give evidence over a dodgy land deal.
Warwick Watkins, the former chief executive of NSW's Land and Property Management Authority (LPMA), faces two charges of using a false document in the purchase of the $12.2 million Currawong union-owned holiday retreat on Sydney's Northern Beaches in 2011.
The charges relate to allegedly preparing a letter for former planning minister Tony Kelly to sign on March 18, 2011, but which was backdated to February 28, 2011.
Watkins pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two charges of attempting to mislead the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) over the sale of land.
At his hearing at the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, Ms Keneally entered the witness box to give evidence for the prosecution.
She told the court that Mr Watkins did not have her approval for the sale.
Ms Keneally said that Mr Kelly, who the ICAC found had engaged in corrupt conduct by backdating the letter, told her that Watkins must have thought he was doing the right thing.
"He said, `Gee, why did Warwick do that, he must have thought he had some approval'," she told the court.
"It struck me as an odd thing to say."
Ms Keneally vented her frustration about the case to reporters outside the court.
"I feel incredibly frustrated and angry and disappointed about the events that occurred in March 2011 in relation to this site," she said.
"As I've stated previously and have testified today, the sale appeared to have occurred without authorisation from the executive level of government.
"Certainly there was no approval given by me or by by any committee of cabinet," Ms Keneally said.
"Further, it occurred in a time when the government was clearly in caretaker mode and had no ability to commit to that type of ongoing obligation."
