The NSW corruption watchdog has begun a preliminary investigation into ex-Labor minister Tim Crakanthorp over his failure to declare a list of properties owned by his family.
A tranche of documents released to parliament on Wednesday included communication between the Independent Commission Against Corruption’ chief commissioner John Hatzistergos and the Cabinet Office in which he confirms the existence of a probe.
“The Commission is currently conducting a preliminary investigation into whether Mr Crakanthorp substantially breached the Ministerial Code of Conduct,” he said.
The comments were made as to whether documents concerning Mr Crakanthorp’ disclosures should be published, and whether this could affect a “possible ICAC investigation”.
Mr Hatzistergos’ said some material did have the “potential to prejudice the Commission’s investigation and would not therefore be in the public interest”.
The papers revealed communication between the former minister and the premier’s office prior to the resignation announcement, including disclosure updates from Mr Crakanthorp’s wife, Lara.
“The Commission therefore requests that the documents produced under paragraphs (a) to (c) not be made public at this point in time,” he wrote.
“ICAC is “currently conducting a preliminary investigation into whether Mr Crakanthorp substantially breached the Ministerial Code of Conduct”.
While announcing Mr Crakanthorp’s resignation in August, Premier Chris Minns said he had referred the former Hunter minister’s “significant” and undisclosed commercial property holdings to the ICAC.
The Premier said it resulted in concerns the Newcastle MP may have used his “public capacity” to incur a “potential private interest”.
“Minister for Hunter is obviously a role with responsibility for driving economic development; for example, co-ordinating initiatives and shining a spotlight on opportunities for potential investment and other opportunities,” Mr Minns said at the time.
“So it is an executive responsibility. It is responsible for, if not lobbying, championing that region.”
Mr Minns has previously confirmed that if a formal ICAC investigation was to begin, Mr Crakanthorp would be asked to “step aside from the party room,” leaving the electorate of Newcastle open for a by-election.