High Court of Australia confirms strong stance concerning integrity in public office
12th February 2026
Forensic accounting expertise relied on in major NSW public integrity case
The High Court of Australia has supported the successful prosecution of a significant public integrity matter involving former NSW Labor figure Eddie Obeid, his son, Moses Obeid, and ministerial associate, Ian Macdonald.
The trial at first instance related to a coal exploration licence conspiracy that resulted in an estimated $30 million financial windfall for the Obeid family.
With the High Court of Australia dismissing the latest appeals, the matter also reinforces the critical role of forensic accounting in strengthening transparency, supporting public authorities and assisting courts in understanding complex financial issues. HKA Partner John Temple-Cole was engaged (whilst at a previous firm) by the NSW prosecution as an independent expert witness, with Sally Davitt forming part of the expert team. Their forensic accounting analysis helped unravel how the financial arrangements in the matter operated and provided clarity to the Court regarding the financial interests involved. John’s expert report was accepted into evidence and referred to in the 2021 first-instance judgment of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
At HKA, we continue to support clients worldwide with specialist expertise in forensic accounting, economic damages, and investigations.
Links to judgments:
Obeid v The King; Obeid v The King; Macdonald v The King [2026] HCA 1
R v Macdonald; R v Edward Obeid; R v Moses Obeid (No 17) [2021] NSWSC 858
Media contact:
| Name | Peita Calvert |
| Title | Marketing and Communications Director, International |
| Number | +61 2 9255 9100 |
| peitacalvert@hka.com |
