Alicia Wood Political Reporter From: The Daily Telegraph
October 03, 2013
Eddie Obeid is facing yet more scrutiny from the ICAC. Source: News Limited
THE former Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid will face another grilling by the corruption watchdog over retail leases in Circular Quay, health contracts and water licences.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption has revealed it would publicly question Mr Obeid as part of its investigations.
The ICAC is investigating allegations that Mr Obeid misused his position as a member of parliament to influence public officials to grant retail leases in Circular Quay, without revealing he had an interest in the leases.
The state government referred his alleged conduct to the ICAC last year.
The public hearing will also focus on allegations that Mr Obeid misused his political position to influence "favourable" decisions for Direct Health Solutions, without revealing his commercial interest in the company.
Mr Obeid's Cherrydale Park property is also under scrutiny in the investigation, with allegations he influenced public officials to review and grant water leases in the area without telling anyone he owned property there.
The public hearing will be held on October 28.
In July, the ICAC found Mr Obeid and disgraced former minister Ian Macdonald had acted corruptly in awarding mining licenses to their mates.
ICAC Commissioner David Ipp found both Mr Obeid and Mr Macdonald defrauded the state of hundreds of millions by awarding a coal license over a property owned by the Obeids.
It has previously been reported that Mr Obeid unsuccessfully lobbied former State Treasurer Michael Costa to get work for a health business owned by his family.
However, Mr Obeid managed to secure more than $200,000 from other state government contracts.
