Ian Macdonald (New South Wales politician)

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.... [trial judge — Justice Christine Adamson] "misdirected" the jurors about the state of mind needed to be found guilty of wilful misconduct in public office. It follows, in our opinion, with the greatest respect to the trial judge, that the jury was not properly directed on the mental element of the offence.

New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal judgement, February 2019.

Prior to his sentencing, the NSW Parliament passed legislation to remove parliamentary pensions from former politicians convicted of serious criminal offences. [46]

In late May 2017 Macdonald was also committed to stand trial on conspiracy charges with Obeid, and his son, Moses Obeid, relating to Macdonald's granting of a coal exploration licence involving the Mount Penny tenement; [8] [9] due to commence in March 2019. [47] All three were tried before Justice Elizabeth Fullerton, and the trial commenced in early 2020 and concluded in February 2021. None of the accused gave evidence at their trial. Justice Fullerton handed down her verdict on 19 July, finding all three guilty. [13] [14] [15] On 21 October, Macdonald was sentenced to nine years and six months, with a non-parole period of five years and three months, over his part in the conspiracy to gain a mining lease over the Obeid’s family farm at Bylong. [42] [43] Macdonald, together with Obeid, have lodged an appeal against their conviction, claiming that Justice Fullerton made a number of errors of fact and reasoning when she found them guilty. Despite applying for bail, Macdonald is in custody with the appeal expected to be heard in September 2022. [48] , later delayed to April 2023. [49]

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References

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Ian Macdonald
Member of Legislative Council of New South Wales
In office
19 March 1988 7 June 2010
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Agriculture
2003–2004
Succeeded by
himself
as Minister for Primary Industries
Preceded by Minister for Fisheries
2003–2004
Succeeded by
Preceded by
himself
as Minister for Agriculture
Minister for Primary Industries
2004–2009
Preceded by Minister for Natural Resources
2005–2007
Succeeded by
himself
as Minister for Mineral and Forest Resources
Preceded by Minister for Mineral Resources
2005–2009
Preceded by Minister for Energy
2007–2009
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for State Development
2007–2009
Succeeded by
himself
as Minister for State and Regional Development
Preceded by
himself
as Minister for Mineral Resources and
as Minister for Natural Resources
Minister for Mineral and Forest Resources
2009–2010
Succeeded by
Preceded by
himself
as Minister for State Development
Minister for State and Regional Development
2009–2010
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for the Central Coast
2009–2010
Succeeded by
New portfolio Minister for Major Events
2010
Succeeded by