ICAC: Eric Roozendaal denies easing way for proposed Buildev coal loader in Newcastle

The former New South Wales treasurer has denied he was doing everything he could to ease the way for a proposed coal loader in Newcastle, despite multiple warnings the project was a dud.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has been examining allegations that Eric Roozendaal and his backbench colleague Joe Tripodi were doing the bidding for Nathan Tinkler's company Buildev, which had proposed the coal loader in the lead up to the last election.

A document tendered to the inquiry revealed that in late 2010 Mr Roozendaal received a letter from Hunter Development Corporation expressing concern about the fact Buildev had approached him about the proposal.

It said the Buildev proposal was not consistent with the cabinet-approved land use plan for the site.

It also raised concerns about the fairness of the proposal and attached probity advice from an anti-corruption expert.

"I oppose most strongly the new proposed course of action," the advice read.

"Were Buildev's proposal to proceed I consider that course of action would be grossly unfair to the other respondents of the RFT (request for tender).

"This alone, in my view, is sufficient to deny further consideration of this proposal."

The inquiry also heard that separate advice Mr Roozendaal commissioned from Treasury described Buildev's proposal as "under-developed," "unrealistic" and "detrimental to industry".

Mr Roozendaal was asked by counsel assisting the ICAC, Geoffrey Watson SC, why he took steps to stall a rival proposal for a container terminal at the site despite this advice, and took other steps that would benefit Buildev's proposal.

He said he knew the advice raised concerns but he thought the coal loader proposal was worth consideration.

"What you were doing is everything you could, right or wrong, good or bad, to get the Buildev proposal up, weren't you?" Mr Watson asked.

Mr Roozendaal replied: "No."

Mr Roozendaal also told the hearing it was Mr Tripodi who was advocating for Buildev's proposal.

He said he did not think that was unusual because Mr Tripodi often "got involved" and "pushed issues".

Mr Roozendaal said he "didn't see a problem" with Mr Tripodi passing on information from the Treasurer's office to Buildev.

But he said he "certainly did not" give Mr Tripodi a copy of a confidential Treasury document, which was later leaked to the media to undermine support for the rival container terminal project.

Former minister denies being involved in banned donations plan

Meanwhile, former energy minister Chris Hartcher has denied being involved in a plan to re-route money from a banned donor to Liberal candidates Tim Owen and Bart Bassett at the last state election.

ICAC has previously heard allegations that $53,000 from Buildev made its way into the the campaign coffers of now disgraced former Newcastle MP Mr Owen and Londonderry MP Mr Bassett, via the Free Enterprise Foundation.

But Mr Hartcher told ICAC he was not aware the that cheques made their way through his office and he never discussed the matter with Mr Bassett.

Phone records show Mr Hartcher contacted Mr Bassett, a Buildev executive and the former police minster, Mike Gallacher, within an hour of each other.

Mr Hartcher suggested he may have been talking to Mr Bassett about a campaign to stamp out illegal brothels.

Later Mr Bassett told the hearing he could not exactly say how his campaign was funded because he kept himself at arms length.