Eddie Obeid's barrister has told jurors in the criminal trial of the former NSW Labor minister that the Crown case against his client draws "a very long bow".
Sydney silk Braddon Hughes rose to his feet in the historic Darlinghurst Courthouse on Thursday to deliver an opening address challenging allegations that Mr Obeid used his office improperly for the financial benefit of his family.
Mr Obeid, 72, has pleaded not guilty to misconduct in public office over representations he allegedly made to Steve Dunn, deputy chief executive of the state Maritime Authority, about the grievances of a group of Circular Quay tenants in 2007.
The court has heard that Mr Obeid, then a member of the NSW upper house, did not reveal to Mr Dunn that his family had an interest in two cafes on the wharves, Cafe Sorrentino and Quay Eatery, and collected about $1000 a week in cash from the businesses.
The Crown alleges that Mr Obeid acted in "wilful and serious breach" of his obligation to act "solely in the interests of the public" by failing to disclose that interest when Circular Quay retailers were seeking to renew their leases without going to a public tender.
Mr Hughes told the jury that Mr Obeid "felt strongly" about the rights of the leaseholders "well before he gained any interest" in two of the leases himself.
He said Mr Obeid "did not act improperly, certainly not as to warrant criminal punishment" by asking Mr Dunn to meet a commercial mediator who was acting for a number of leaseholders, including an Obeid-related company.
The court heard that the then Labor Ports minister, Joe Tripodi, called the commercial mediator.
Mr Hughes said the Crown's inference that Mr Tripodi did so at the request of Mr Obeid was "a very long bow to draw".
Mr Obeid's brother-in-law, John Abood, a former manager of the cafes, told the court that the way the leaseholders had been treated was "unconscionable". They were seeking at least a five-year renewal of their leases without going to tender.
"When you invest $2 million you don't want to see it thrown out the door a couple of years later," Mr Abood said.
Mr Obeid's son Damian said his father had not been comfortable with his sons' plans to buy the leases.
"He just didn't like the idea of - if you're not in the actual business yourself - paying the business."
Damian Obeid said he did not discuss with his father the use of an Obeid family trust or the possibility of negotiating lease extensions.
He said his siblings and parents had rarely discussed business interests at the family's regular lunches.
What did they talk about then, the Crown asked.
"Rugby league," he said. The trial continues.
