Eddie Obeid and two other former Labour ministers from New South Wales are set to go on trial for allegedly manipulating a significant bid for water infrastructure.
At today’s Downing Centre hearing in Sydney, Joe Tripodi, Tony Kelly, and Obeid each had their cases committed for trial, and each is facing one charge of misconduct in public office.
The three men have entered not guilty pleas to the allegations, which stem from incidents that occurred in 2009 and 2010.
Eddie Obeid will stand trial with two other former Labour ministers from New South Wales.
Obeid is accused by the prosecution of abusing his authority as a member of parliament to help Australian Water Holdings form a public-private partnership with the government of New South Wales.
Court records reveal that Obeid made an effort to persuade his fellow lawmakers, Michael Costa, Nathan Rees, Morris Iemma, Philip Costa, and Kristina Keneally, to further the business’s interests.
According to court documents, Tripodi created a minute document on the budget for the cabinet standing committee, endorsing the company’s request for a public-private partnership.
It will be claimed that Kelly, who was the minister of infrastructure at the time, then approved and signed the minute’s submission.
Prosecutors claim that the men knew the material in the minute was false or had not taken the necessary steps to verify its veracity.
An arraignment hearing has been set for March 22 in relation to the matter, which has been committed to the New South Wales District Court for trial.
