Break taken before new round of corruption queries
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in New South Wales will take a break to consider new evidence of “serious electoral funding irregularities”.
The ICAC investigation is looking at evidence implicating former New South Wales police minister Mike Gallacher, who stood down last week after ICAC was told of illegal political donations
The tribunal was told he and former NSW energy minister Chris Hartcher hid donations made by a development company to the Liberal Party.
The corruption probe will take a three month break to consider the new evidence.
Lawyers defending several political figures involved in the investigation say they want their clients to be able to get back to work.
Those defending Senator Arthur Sinodinos and Mr Hartcher have raised objections to the adjournment, claiming their clients' reputations had been battered enough.
Mr Hartcher's barrister wants ICAC's final report be finished in good time before the March 2015 NSW election, but ICAC commissioner Megan Latham says she will not be influenced by “political concerns”.
In his first Parliamentary session as the NSW Premier, Mike Baird has faced a barrage of questions over alleged illegal donations.
Opposition Leader John Robertson opened fire.
“Premier can you confirm that on the 9 March 2011 you received an illegal donation which exceeded the state campaign cap from Eureka Capital Partners?” Mr Robertson asked.
“A company owned by Mr Roger Massey-Greene who you awarded a $150,000 consulting contract and appointed as chairman of Networks NSW?”
Mr Baird replied; “We are used to your smears... the Leader of the Opposition has no credibility on this issue.”
“Mike Baird has today shown that he is not ready to be Premier of NSW. Today was his opportunity to come clean and tell people what he knew about donations,” Mr Robertson concluded.
The question was ruled out minutes later.