Australian Water Holdings donated $5000 in 2007 to meet Campbell Newman, an inquiry has heard. Source: AAP
AN Obeid-linked company forked out $5000 to meet Queensland Premier Campbell Newman when he was lord mayor of Brisbane, a NSW corruption inquiry has heard.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is probing claims infrastructure firm Australian Water Holdings (AWH), linked to former Labor MP Eddie Obeid and his family, corruptly billed Sydney Water for limousine rides, luxury hotel stays and lavish salaries.
The inquiry heard on Monday that AWH and a related firm, Australian Water Pty Ltd, paid $225,000 to a company owned by NSW Liberal Party fundraiser and Australian Hotels Association lobbyist Paul Nicolaou.
Counsel assisting Geoffrey Watson SC has told the inquiry there is "hard and fast evidence" the money was charged back to Sydney Water as "administrative costs" incurred by AWH as it built sewerage and water infrastructure around the city's northwest.
"What work did you do that related to the northwest growth centre," Mr Watson asked.
"I didn't know anything about it," Mr Nicolaou replied.
Instead, his work involved providing advice and opening doors, he said, including in Brisbane, where he arranged a meeting between former AWH chief executive Nick Di Girolamo and Mr Newman in the lead-up to his re-election as lord mayor of Brisbane in 2007.
"The Lord Mayor of Brisbane is happy to see you. The person whom I am liaising with on your behalf would like you to donate the $5k as soon as possible," he wrote in one 2007 email to Mr Di Girolamo.
That amount was then paid out by Australian Water Pty Ltd to a fundraising entity with the "fabulous Orwellian title" Forward Brisbane Leadership, Mr Watson told the inquiry.
"There was a price on meeting Campbell Newman," he put to Mr Nicolaou.
"Yes, if you look at it that way," Mr Nicolaou replied.
"He would meet Di Girolamo if Di Girolamo paid $5000, correct?" Mr Watson asked.
"Correct," the witness said.
Mr Nicolaou said the money went towards Mr Newman's lord mayoral re-election campaign.
Mr Newman flew to China on Monday morning for a trade mission with other premiers and Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Deputy Opposition leader Tim Mulherin says the premier needs to explain if any favours were given as a result of any meeting.
"Was this the way business was done under Campbell Newman as Lord Mayor?" he asked.
"If necessary the premier should come back to Queensland and provide explanations to what are very serious allegations."
A spokeswoman for Mr Newman told AAP the premier never asked for money to go towards his re-election, nor was it habit to do so.
The Brisbane City Council said the LNP returned the $5000 donation last month following revelations concerning Australian Water Holdings.
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