Premier Chris Minns launches fresh push to go after $30 million from Eddie Obeid's corrupt coal dealNBy Nick DoleTopic:Crime4h ago4 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 2:20amEddie Obeid (left) leaves the Supreme Court of NSW in Sydney in 2020. (AAP: Joel Carrett)In short:The NSW Crime Commission will devise new ways of getting back $30 million from disgraced former Labor minister Eddie Obeid.The premier had earlier offered additional resources and funding to help the effort if required.The commission has twice investigated the viability of confiscating Obeid's assets but decided not to go ahead.abc.net.au/news/chris-minns-eddie-obeid-coal-deal-money-crime-commission/105258056Link copiedShareShare articleThe NSW Crime Commission will devise new strategies to claw back $30 million from disgraced former minister Eddie Obeid, following an offer of additional resources from the premier.Commissioner Michael Barnes said he took "very seriously" the public's frustration about the former Labor powerbroker keeping his "ill-gotten gains.""It's something that certainly we're not happy about," he said.Earlier on Tuesday, Premier Chris Minns said the government was prepared to boost funding to the commission, to ensure Obeid can't keep the cash he made from a corrupt coal licence deal.He also vowed to consider new legislation to make the confiscation of assets easier."There's acts of big public corruption, someone's made a motza out of it [and] we're going to chase them," Mr Minns said.Premier Chris Minns said NSW authorities needed to send a message to the community. (ABC News: Courtney Barrett Peters)Last month, the commission decided not to pursue legal proceedings to confiscate Obeid's assets, saying a complex web of trusts and corporations made the cash difficult to trace.It also warned that pursuing the matter could expose the commission to substantial legal costs, diverting resources away from other investigations.However, the premier has since written to Commissioner Barnes, asking him to reconsider."We'll provide the resources, the financing or changes to the legislation that he needs to pursue the proceeds of crime," Mr Minns said.It is "just not on" for the former Labor powerbroker to keep the money, he said."If the message goes out in New South Wales that if you've got deep pockets, if you've got the best lawyers, you can outrun the government of the day, [then] I think that'll be a green light to corruption," he said.Third time lucky?The crime commission has twice investigated the viability of confiscating Obeid's assets and on both occasions decided not to proceed.Commissioner Barnes said the latest investigation left "no stone unturned"."Contrary to some characterisations, there's not $30 million sitting in a pot that we've chosen not to pursue," he said on Tuesday."We briefed our external, high level forensic accountants and legal advice to make sure that we weren't missing any opportunities."NSW Crime Commissioner Michael Barnes said he believes the chances of clawing the money back were low. (Abc News: Isobel Roe)However, the commissioner said he would reconsider the decision in light of the premier's offer."We're very grateful for the premier's support."He said opportunities existed to make the legislation "more certain," which would now be discussed with the government.Extra funding would also prevent hundreds of other cases being neglected while the commission pursues Obeid, he said."If they're not competing for resources, then that is something that we can view more positively."While he declined to put a dollar figure on the additional resources required, Commissioner Barnes said his team would need to hire more lawyers and forensic accountants, whilst investing in new technology.Opposition says Minns 'playing catch up'When the crime commission announced its decision last month, the government expressed disappointment, but made no mention of any plans to seek a review.Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said it should not have taken the premier so long to act."We called immediately for legislation," he said."The Minns Labor government only acted once it was caught standing still. Token stunts are all they have to offer."The premier said the criticism was unwarranted."We made sure that we looked at [it] very closely and cross examined the reasons … then I made a considered decision in relation to it," he said."Justice doesn't just have to be done, it has to be seen to be done."Posted 4h ago4 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 2:20am, updated 24m ago24 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 6:00amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesDying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hearsLIVEPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtNationals deputy leader 'shattered' she will likely lose Senate seatLIVEPhoto shows Perin Davey listens to a press conference by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek at Parliament HouseWhat's causing an unprecedented and deadly disease outbreak in Queensland?Topic:Infectious DiseasesPhoto shows A middle-aged man wearing a grey singlet and beige cap sits in his backyard.Could Labor's thumping election win put tax reform back on the agenda?Topic:TaxPhoto shows A man sitting on a stage wearing a suit and tie.Liberal preferences may help elect Climate 200-backed independent who vows to end gasTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Kate Hulett and her supporters at an election night functionRelated storiesJailed former NSW Labor minister to keep $30m from corrupt coal dealTopic:CourtsPhoto shows Eddie Obeid arrives at court to be sentenced for misconduct in public officeNSW Labor candidate cleared of corruption allegations aired in parliamentTopic:State and Territory ParliamentPhoto shows Khal AsfourDisgraced former Labor minister Eddie Obeid enters prison to begin sentence over coal mine conspiracyTopic:CourtsPhoto shows a man in a surgical mask walking outRelated topicsAnti Corruption AgenciesCorruptionCrimeNewcastleSydneyTop StoriesDying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hearsTopic:Law, Crime and JusticePhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtNationals deputy leader 'shattered' she will likely lose Senate seatTopic:ElectionsWhat's causing an unprecedented and deadly disease outbreak in Queensland?Topic:Infectious DiseasesCould Labor's thumping election win put tax reform back on the agenda?Topic:TaxLiberal preferences may help elect Climate 200-backed independent who vows to end gasTopic:ElectionsJust InOne of music's biggest stars announces first Australian showTopic:Arts, Culture and Entertainment57m ago57 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:27amTrump's film tariffs throws Gold Coast vision into doubt, industry saysTopic:Film Industry59m ago59 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:25amHuni 'comfortable being me' ahead of momentous opportunityTopic:Boxing1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:24amTeenagers clocked going 120kph on e-bike but no charges laidTopic:Electric Vehicles3m ago3 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 6:21amMore Just InBack to top