NSW:Macdonald faces possible ALP suspension

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2011
NSW:Macdonald faces possible ALP suspension

Eds: Reissuing to correct Macdonald spelling throughout



SYDNEY, Dec 7 AAP - The NSW opposition leader has reportedly requested the suspension
of disgraced former Labor minister Ian Macdonald from the party.

John Robertson wrote to the NSW Labor general secretary Sam Dastyari on Tuesday, asking
that Mr Macdonald, who is being investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption
(ICAC), be suspended from the party in "light of the alleged actions", Fairfax reported
on Wednesday.

Mr Macdonald, a former energy minister, faced allegations before ICAC earlier this
month involving property tycoon Ron Medich and a prostitute named Tiffanie.

The corruption watchdog heard Mr Medich arranged for Mr Macdonald to spend time with
the prostitute on July 15, 2009 as a thank you for arranging meetings with energy executives.

Mr Macdonald admitted to receiving a massage from the woman at a Sydney hotel but denied
having sexual relations with her.

Mr Macdonald's 2008 granting of the mining company NuCoal's exploration licence in
the Hunter Valley has also been referred to ICAC by the parliament, after a report raised
questions about the tender process.

Mr Macdonald announced the approval of the Doyles Creek licence in December 2008, after
inviting only the former national secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and
Energy Union, John Maitland, to tender.

NuCoal bought Doyles Creek Mining Pty Ltd in February last year.

Mr Robertson has previously denied being a part of a culture in NSW Labor that led
to the allegations that forced Mr Macdonald to front up before ICAC this month.

"I have not been involved in these sorts of things and I will not tolerate this behaviour
if it's going on," he told ABC Television.

AAP lcf/jfm/jmt

KEYWORD: MACDONALD (REISSUING)

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