Kiama MP Gareth Ward will use parliamentary privilege next week to address the issue of the ‘‘erosion of trust and confidence’’ in government caused by people like corrupt Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid.
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Mr Ward has also written a letter to the Governor-General requesting Mr Obeid be stripped of the Order of Australia medal he received in 1984.
However, Mr Obeid told the Mercury on Wednesday he was innocent of the corruption allegations and suggested Mr Ward should stick to matters involving his own electorate.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption found Mr Obeid acted corruptly by using his political position to benefit his family.
The finding was made in June, when the watchdog also advised the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider pursuing criminal charges against Mr Obeid for misconduct in public office.
The DPP hasn’t yet made a final decision.
Mr Ward’s letter to the Governor-General said the ICAC investigation showed Mr Obeid was involved in activities ‘‘unbecoming’’ of an Order of Australia award.
‘‘Indeed it is my view that whilst Mr Obeid continues to hold the OAM, his membership of the order diminishes the high regard in which Australians rightfully hold such honours,’’ Mr Ward said in the letter.
The letter also states it was ‘‘highly inappropriate’’ that anyone found corrupt by the ICAC should retain an OAM.
People previously stripped of Order of Australia honours include corrupt former Western Australia premier Brian Burke, fraudulent businessman Alan Bond and former judge of the Federal Court Justice Marcus Einfeld - all of whom have served jail time.
Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Ward announced his intention to raise the issue on the floor of Parliament next week.
‘‘I have been concerned for a long time about the constant erosion of trust and confidence in publicly elected officials and the lack of action that seems to have occurred,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m going to have a bit more to say about this when Parliament resumes next week, under parliamentary privilege.’’
He said he would be looking at ways to make it easier to bring people like Mr Obeid to justice.
‘‘I think a lot of people are pretty ashamed that there doesn’t seem to have been punishment dished out to politicians who have been found to have been corrupt,’’ Mr Ward said.
‘‘Eddie Obeid is still living in Hunters Hill, thumbing his nose at the legal system. That can’t be good for people’s faith and trust in democracy.’’
Mr Obeid said he wasn’t worried about Mr Ward’s letter to the Governor-General.
‘‘It’s a political stunt, he wants to get recognised for something,’’ Mr Obeid said.
‘‘My advice to this wet-behind-the-ear MP is to go and work for your community because you won’t hold that seat for very long worrying about that sort of thing.’’
He said he did not believe that anyone had the power to strip him of the OAM and was still waiting for his day in court.
‘‘I have been charged with nothing,’’ he said.
‘‘I have had a lot of allegations, which you don’t get a chance to answer in ICAC. I challenge them to take it to a court of law and we’ll provide the truth, contrary to what they have alleged.’’