AAP reported that an Obeid associate tried to lure Chinese investment in a NSW coal prospect by saying the resources minister was onside, an inquiry has heard.
A consultant acting for potential Chinese investors was assured there'd be no trouble winning an exploration licence for a NSW coal venture thanks to a very good connection to then NSW resources minister Ian Macdonald, an inquiry has been told.
Chinese-born mining consultant Barry Yin told a corruption inquiry in Sydney that Obeid family associate Gardner Brook had been trying to woo investors to Monaro Mining, which in 2008 was tendering for coal licences in the Bylong Valley.
Appearing before the Independent Commission Against Corruption on Friday, Mr Yin said he had become frustrated with Mr Brook, a former senior vice president at Lehman Brothers, and his talk that he could procure a mining licence for the Mount Penny tenement.
Mr Brook had boasted of knowing Mr Macdonald, who has been accused of rigging the tendering process for the exploration licences in favour of Labor colleague Eddie Obeid, his family and their associates.
Mr Yin said that "He said he had a very good connection with Ian Macdonald. Privately he talked to me. He said keep it secret, you can't tell other people."
"He said if your serious investors come into Sydney I can organise a coffee chatting together. I can ask him (Mr Macdonald) come in your hotel and we can meet each other."