Eddie Obeid to face ICAC over coal deal

Eddie Obeid to face ICAC over coal deal

AAPJanuary 31, 2013, 9:19 am

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Former Labor minister Eddie Obeid is expected to be grilled by the corruption watchdog on Thursday about his role in the opening up of coal mining in the NSW Hunter Valley.

Mr Obeid is due to give evidence before an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry into how he may have gained from a 2008 decision by another former Labor Minister, Ian Macdonald, to issue coal exploration licences in the Bylong Valley.

The ICAC will also hear evidence on Thursday from Mr Obeid’s wife, Judith, and one of their sons, Moses.

It has been alleged that the Obeids stood to make up to $100 million from mining deals in the area.

Former NSW premiers Nathan Rees and Morris Iemma have already given evidence at ICAC as have a number of Obeid family associates and mining company executives.
The inquiry, presided over by Commissioner David Ipp, is expected to conclude in February.