Eddie Obeid released from prison, soon to be back in court
The 81-year-old left the aged care facility at Long Bay Correctional Complex just after 7am on Wednesday.
Carrying plastic bags of his belongings, Obeid made a short walk to a waiting four-wheeled drive with heavily tinted windows and drove away from the eastern suburbs prison.
Also sentenced at the same time for their roles in conspiring to commit misconduct in public office were Obeid's son, Moses, and Obeid's former Labor colleague, Ian Macdonald.
Moses Obeid, 56, was released from jail last October but then had to serve a period of home detention for a separate charge of lying to the Independent Commission Against Corruption. That case related to the provision of a discount Honda to the then roads minister Eric Roozendaal, who was not accused of any wrongdoing.
Macdonald, 76, is not eligible for parole until January 2027.
Obeid Snr, once a key powerbroker within the Labor Party, featured in seven corruption inquiries ranging from cafes, coal, health care and water licences.
His first, in 2002, was prompted by a Herald investigation which revealed the then fisheries minister had attempted to solicit a $1 million donation to the ALP in order to remove planning roadblocks hampering the development of the contentious Oasis project in Liverpool.
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