A year before allegedly having an $18,000 donation credited to his state election campaign, Londonderry MP Bart Bassett used his casting vote as mayor of Hawkesbury to ensure a controversial housing development associated with the donor passed the council.
Mr Bassett says the decision to vote in favour of the aged care development by Buildev - a company owned by mining magnate Nathan Tinkler - was "based on the staff's recommendation which was for approval and had gone through all the normal processes".
But he declined to comment on evidence at the Independent Commission Against Corruption indicating the donation from another Tinkler-owned company - Boardwalk Resources - may have been used for his campaign.
"I have no comment to make about what was stated in the ICAC today," he said.
Mr Bassett is set to be among the next government MPs to appear in the witness box at the Independent Commission Against Corruption as it resumes Operation Spicer, its inquiry into fundraising by the NSW Liberal party.
On Wednesday counsel assisting the commission, Geoffrey Watson, said that in December 2010 Boardwalk Resources donated separate cheques of $35,000 and $18,000 to the Free Enterprise Foundation - a federal entity linked to the Liberal party.
On Wednesday counsel assisting the commission, Geoffrey Watson, said that in December 2010 Boardwalk Resources donated separate cheques of $35,000 and $18,000 to the Free Enterprise Foundation - a federal entity linked to the Liberal party.
Mr Watson said both cheques "came into the possession" of former energy minister Chris Hartcher whose staffer Aaron Henry mailed them to the NSW Liberal party's head office.
Entries were then made, "maybe" by finance director Simon McInnes or former Millennium Forum chairman Paul Nicolaou indicating $35,000 would be credited to the campaign of Newcastle MP Tim Owen and $18,000 for Mr Bassett, he said.
"The commission will need to hear from Mr Bassett," Mr Watson said.
It can be revealed that in September 2009 Mr Bassett used his casting vote as Hawkesbury mayor to break a deadlock over the $15 million North Richmond Seniors Housing Development proposed by Buildev against significant community opposition.
Property developers were prohibited from making donations to NSW election campaigns in 2009.
On Wednesday Premier Mike Baird announced he had accepted the decision of Mr Owen and Charlestown MP Andrew Cornwell "to stand aside from the parliamentary Liberal Party and relinquish any parliamentary positions they currently hold."
ICAC has heard Mr Owen is being investigated over his involvement with a scheme to funnel illegal donations to his campaign at the 2011 state election.
It heard Mr Cornwell was handed $10,000 in cash by developer and Newcastle mayor Jeff McCloy, which he passed onto the Liberal party. Cr McCloy denies the claim.
"I make no judgement regarding the outcome of Operation Spicer," Mr Baird said.
"However, it will take time for the allegations to be resolved, and I am not prepared to allow this to become a distraction for the Party or the Government.
Mr Cornwell is due to give evidence at ICAC on Thursday.
