The Independent Commission Against Corruption has recommended the NSW Government consider cancelling the licences for Doyles Creek, Mount Penny and Glendon Brook, because the operations are tainted with corruption.
In the report (Operations Jasper and Acacia), the Commission says the state government should consider enacting legislation to cancel the licences and any pending applications regarding them should be refused.
The report examined the Doyles Creek licence, awarded in 2008, that included former union boss John Maitland, as well as the former Energy Minister, Ian Macdonald’s decision to approve an area in the Bylong Valley for coal exploration, and whether it was influenced by Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid.
The Commission also believed consideration should be given in regards to whether Mr MacDonald and Mr Obeid should be prosecuted.
The Lock the Gate Alliance is welcoming ICAC’s recommendations.
