NSW Premier Chris Minns referred to corruption watchdog ICAC over Rosehill racecourse housing plan
A parliamentary committee has voted to refer the NSW Premier to the corruption watchdog over the government’s signature housing plans for Rosehill Gardens racecourse.
Chris Minns is being accused of a conflict of interest for striking the Rosehill deal during an informal meet and greet with his friend of many years, Australian Turf Club official Steve McMahon.
The $5 billion plans, that would turn the racecourse into 25,000 homes, were so rushed there was no time for proper drawings.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.7NEWS has obtained confidential minutes from secret select committee deliberations last Friday in which crossbench and opposition members voted to refer the premier’s conduct to the corruption watchdog.
“The committee is of the view that the premier should have declared a conflict of interest especially in light of the ICAC ruling on Operation Keppel,” the minutes reveal.
The Operation Keppel ruling relates to former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and her secret relationship with disgraced MP Daryl Maguire.
The Berejiklian saga was referred to as a precedent in the secret minutes as a way of trying to pin Minns “due to his close relationship with Mr McMahon”.
Minns has been open about his friendship of more than 20 years with McMahon, who is not an executive member of the ATC.
But is it a conflict of interest ICAC will investigate?
ICAC Chief Commissioner John Hatzistergos seemed prepared for questions back in August.
He told a budget estimates hearing: “I won’t say what we are or are not investigating.”
7NEWS understands the committee will write to ICAC when the Rosehill report is tabled on Friday, about 10.30am.
Anyone can make a referral to the corruption watchdog — whether or not it actually investigates is another matter.
7NEWS is in no way suggesting any improper conduct in the part of McMahon or Minns, or that Minns has benefited, or would benefit from any deal relating to Rosehill Racecourse. That is a matter for ICAC, if they chose to investigate.
The premier’s office declined to comment.
The select committee was led by the opposition and crossbench.
Committee members believe there’s a genuine case for ICAC in Friday’s report.
Originally published on 7NEWS
