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O'Farrell must explain ICAC raids: oppn

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell must come clean about what he knew about Liberal Party fundraising activities following raids on two of his MPs, Labor says.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell must explain what he knew about fundraising activities, Labor says. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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The NSW opposition is demanding that Premier Barry O'Farrell explain what he knew about the circumstances leading to raids by corruption authorities on the offices of two Liberal MPs.

Officers from the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) reportedly searched the Central Coast offices of Chris Spence and Darren Webber on Friday.

News Corp Australia reports computers and documents were seized in relation to claims of irregularities in donations to the Liberal Party on the Central Coast before the 2011 election.

Opposition Leader John Robertson said there has already been a 12-month investigation into the activities of the office of Energy Minister Chris Hartcher relating to fundraising on the Central Coast.

"Now we discover two more members on the Central Coast are being investigated," he told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.

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"These are very serious matters for Barry O'Farrell and the Liberal party to answer - questions that go to the integrity of Barry O'Farrell and his Liberal government and the way they raised funds in the lead up to the last election."

Mr O'Farrell said the Liberal Party had referred matters relating to political donations to the Electoral Funding Authority on May 2012 and the ICAC was investigating.

A senior staff member of Energy Minister Chris Hartcher, Tim Koelma, resigned last year and his electorate officer Ray Carter was suspended over the allegations.

But Mr O'Farrell said Friday's raids were news to him.

"I don't believe the ICAC has ever made it a practice to advise premiers of visits by its staff involved in investigations," he said.

The claims relating to Mr Webber and Mr Spence came after Fairfax also reported on Saturday that questions had been raised about the fund raising activities of retired Sports Minister Graham Annesley's campaign treasurer Matt Daniel in the Sutherland area.

"The Premier really needs to explain what action he will take against these individuals, what he knew about these activities," Mr Robertson said.


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