The NSW corruption watchdog has been asked to consider a report that questioned if the state’s Premier Chris Minns disclosed a possible conflict of interest around the redevelopment of a racecourse.
A NSW parliamentary committee referred a report about the deal to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) today, saying there are “unanswered questions” about the relationship between Minns and a senior executive involved with the racecourse.
Minns has denied wrongdoing, describing the allegations as “unsubstantiated rumours”.
What is ICAC?
ICAC investigates corrupt activities in the public sector in NSW.
It has three key functions:
- Investigating and exposing corrupt conduct in the NSW public sector
- Actively preventing corruption through advice and assistance
- Educating the NSW community and public sector about corruption and its effects.
The body has significant powers, including gaining access to confidential conversations.
Rosehill Racecourse
Last December, the NSW Government announced it had received a proposal to turn Rosehill Racecourse in Western Sydney into a housing complex.
The redevelopment would involve building 25,000 homes, green spaces, a school, and two train stations.
The racecourse, the Australian Turf Club (ATC), proposed the idea to the Government.
Chris Minns
In May, a committee was established in the NSW Upper House to review the plan, and how it was proposed to the Government.
The committee questioned the relationship between ATC Head of Corporate Affairs Steve McMahon, who proposed the redevelopment, and NSW Premier Chris Minns.
At a committee hearing in August, McMahon said he had known “Chris Minns and his family for 25 years”.
McMahon said he met with Minns in October 2023 to propose the redevelopment.
At a separate hearing later that month, Minns agreed the pair have been friends for “probably more than 20 years”.
He admitted the pair had met to discuss the proposal ahead of the December announcement, describing the conversation as a “meet and greet”.
TDA is not making any suggestions of wrongdoing by Minns and McMahon.
ICAC inquiry
The committee handed down its final report on Friday.
It said: “Given the significant conflicting evidence regarding the proposal… including unanswered questions surrounding the involvement of the Premier and concerns regarding direct dealings and conflicts of interest, this report should be referred to [ICAC].”
The Premier had previously called the allegations of corruption “unsubstantiated rumours”.
The committee’s report includes notes of their deliberations about what they want ICAC to investigate.
Committee member, independent Mark Latham, recommended they refer both their report and Premier Minns to ICAC. None of the other committee members, who include other independents, Greens, Labor and Coalition MPs, agreed.
Instead, all but the Labor Government members agreed to refer only the report to ICAC.
This means ICAC will consider the evidence assembled by the committee and decide whether it will investigate.
Opposition
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said he will look closely at the report.
“Rosehill could be a great opportunity for housing, but as to delivery it seems that it’s just another thought bubble from the Minns Labor Government,” Speakman said.
