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The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
ICAC zeroes in on Newcastle engineer's slippery slope to cash kickbacks
"WE should get on the bandwagon" were the words Ibrahim Helmy allegedly used to first lure former Newcastle-based senior projects engineer David Liu into his web of corruption. "Basically it was an indication that we should get in bed with the contractors, inflate the rates, and get cash benefits," Mr Liu said. The conversation started with Mr Liu questioning Mr Helmy, a senior Transport for NSW figure, about the rates of various subcontractors. Mr Liu felt that some of their regular contractors, such as Protection Barriers, were ripping them off and that their prices were too high. Mr Helmy called it a COVID tax, inflation, because "things were getting expensive", Mr Liu said. In later conversations, the tone became more serious and the specifics of the how-to were discussed. During work-related phone calls, Mr Helmy made comments about having "a really safe way" to get cash kickbacks if they wanted to, Mr Liu said. "He said to me can you inflate the rates and I was shocked because I thought how could you ... how could you do that with all the oversight," Mr Liu said. "I didn't think it was feasible. He said 'I have my ways'." It was as simple as changing the rate, for example if the rate was $100 a linear metre, he would change it to $120'. That was one of the ways, he said. Another way was to add "extra services" such as traffic control, and a variety of things into the invoice, Mr Liu said. He was shocked that a procurement officer could do that Mr Liu said, but he also went along with it, and is accused of receiving more than $100,000 in kickbacks. Rob Ranken SC, Counsel Assisting the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in its inquiry into Transport for NSW corruption, asked him why he didn't report it. Mr Liu said he had done some soul searching about that, and part of the explanation was that he felt his career was going nowhere. "I think at that time a senior project position came up and I didn't win it," Mr Liu said. "It's fair to say I didn't do well in the interview. I felt, for whatever it's worth, no matter how good I am, this is it, this is my life forever. That's not an excuse though." Mr Liu said in other conversations with Mr Helmy they discussed in greater depth how the rort would work. "I asked, if you can inflate the rates, why do you need me," Mr Liu said. If he added extra items he needed me to look the other way, he said. Mr Helmy would supply a rate from the contractors on the panel, and then Mr Liu was to say how much money was left in the budget, and they could add that on to the bill and take it for themselves. "Basically he just wanted to add stuff and I just had to sign it when the invoice was issued that those additional items that were provided actually weren't provided," Mr Liu said. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement officer Mr Helmy, who is in hiding, between 2012 and 2024 has come under the microscope of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). ICAC is investigating allegations Mr Helmy was involved in corrupt relationships with companies that were paid at least $343 million in contracts. He is wanted by police and is believed to be in hiding after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport in September. He is the principal - but not only - official involved in the ICAC inquiry. Investigations led to raids in September on the head office of Protection Barriers, one of the state's biggest roadworks companies, headed by Jason Chellew. Mr Ranken said in his opening address that he expected the evidence to show that Mr Liu received between $100,000 and $150,000 from Mr Chellew as part of a hire truck arrangement. "WE should get on the bandwagon" were the words Ibrahim Helmy allegedly used to first lure former Newcastle-based senior projects engineer David Liu into his web of corruption. "Basically it was an indication that we should get in bed with the contractors, inflate the rates, and get cash benefits," Mr Liu said. The conversation started with Mr Liu questioning Mr Helmy, a senior Transport for NSW figure, about the rates of various subcontractors. Mr Liu felt that some of their regular contractors, such as Protection Barriers, were ripping them off and that their prices were too high. Mr Helmy called it a COVID tax, inflation, because "things were getting expensive", Mr Liu said. In later conversations, the tone became more serious and the specifics of the how-to were discussed. During work-related phone calls, Mr Helmy made comments about having "a really safe way" to get cash kickbacks if they wanted to, Mr Liu said. "He said to me can you inflate the rates and I was shocked because I thought how could you ... how could you do that with all the oversight," Mr Liu said. "I didn't think it was feasible. He said 'I have my ways'." It was as simple as changing the rate, for example if the rate was $100 a linear metre, he would change it to $120'. That was one of the ways, he said. Another way was to add "extra services" such as traffic control, and a variety of things into the invoice, Mr Liu said. He was shocked that a procurement officer could do that Mr Liu said, but he also went along with it, and is accused of receiving more than $100,000 in kickbacks. Rob Ranken SC, Counsel Assisting the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in its inquiry into Transport for NSW corruption, asked him why he didn't report it. Mr Liu said he had done some soul searching about that, and part of the explanation was that he felt his career was going nowhere. "I think at that time a senior project position came up and I didn't win it," Mr Liu said. "It's fair to say I didn't do well in the interview. I felt, for whatever it's worth, no matter how good I am, this is it, this is my life forever. That's not an excuse though." Mr Liu said in other conversations with Mr Helmy they discussed in greater depth how the rort would work. "I asked, if you can inflate the rates, why do you need me," Mr Liu said. If he added extra items he needed me to look the other way, he said. Mr Helmy would supply a rate from the contractors on the panel, and then Mr Liu was to say how much money was left in the budget, and they could add that on to the bill and take it for themselves. "Basically he just wanted to add stuff and I just had to sign it when the invoice was issued that those additional items that were provided actually weren't provided," Mr Liu said. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement officer Mr Helmy, who is in hiding, between 2012 and 2024 has come under the microscope of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). ICAC is investigating allegations Mr Helmy was involved in corrupt relationships with companies that were paid at least $343 million in contracts. He is wanted by police and is believed to be in hiding after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport in September. He is the principal - but not only - official involved in the ICAC inquiry. Investigations led to raids in September on the head office of Protection Barriers, one of the state's biggest roadworks companies, headed by Jason Chellew. Mr Ranken said in his opening address that he expected the evidence to show that Mr Liu received between $100,000 and $150,000 from Mr Chellew as part of a hire truck arrangement. "WE should get on the bandwagon" were the words Ibrahim Helmy allegedly used to first lure former Newcastle-based senior projects engineer David Liu into his web of corruption. "Basically it was an indication that we should get in bed with the contractors, inflate the rates, and get cash benefits," Mr Liu said. The conversation started with Mr Liu questioning Mr Helmy, a senior Transport for NSW figure, about the rates of various subcontractors. Mr Liu felt that some of their regular contractors, such as Protection Barriers, were ripping them off and that their prices were too high. Mr Helmy called it a COVID tax, inflation, because "things were getting expensive", Mr Liu said. In later conversations, the tone became more serious and the specifics of the how-to were discussed. During work-related phone calls, Mr Helmy made comments about having "a really safe way" to get cash kickbacks if they wanted to, Mr Liu said. "He said to me can you inflate the rates and I was shocked because I thought how could you ... how could you do that with all the oversight," Mr Liu said. "I didn't think it was feasible. He said 'I have my ways'." It was as simple as changing the rate, for example if the rate was $100 a linear metre, he would change it to $120'. That was one of the ways, he said. Another way was to add "extra services" such as traffic control, and a variety of things into the invoice, Mr Liu said. He was shocked that a procurement officer could do that Mr Liu said, but he also went along with it, and is accused of receiving more than $100,000 in kickbacks. Rob Ranken SC, Counsel Assisting the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in its inquiry into Transport for NSW corruption, asked him why he didn't report it. Mr Liu said he had done some soul searching about that, and part of the explanation was that he felt his career was going nowhere. "I think at that time a senior project position came up and I didn't win it," Mr Liu said. "It's fair to say I didn't do well in the interview. I felt, for whatever it's worth, no matter how good I am, this is it, this is my life forever. That's not an excuse though." Mr Liu said in other conversations with Mr Helmy they discussed in greater depth how the rort would work. "I asked, if you can inflate the rates, why do you need me," Mr Liu said. If he added extra items he needed me to look the other way, he said. Mr Helmy would supply a rate from the contractors on the panel, and then Mr Liu was to say how much money was left in the budget, and they could add that on to the bill and take it for themselves. "Basically he just wanted to add stuff and I just had to sign it when the invoice was issued that those additional items that were provided actually weren't provided," Mr Liu said. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement officer Mr Helmy, who is in hiding, between 2012 and 2024 has come under the microscope of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). ICAC is investigating allegations Mr Helmy was involved in corrupt relationships with companies that were paid at least $343 million in contracts. He is wanted by police and is believed to be in hiding after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport in September. He is the principal - but not only - official involved in the ICAC inquiry. Investigations led to raids in September on the head office of Protection Barriers, one of the state's biggest roadworks companies, headed by Jason Chellew. Mr Ranken said in his opening address that he expected the evidence to show that Mr Liu received between $100,000 and $150,000 from Mr Chellew as part of a hire truck arrangement. "WE should get on the bandwagon" were the words Ibrahim Helmy allegedly used to first lure former Newcastle-based senior projects engineer David Liu into his web of corruption. "Basically it was an indication that we should get in bed with the contractors, inflate the rates, and get cash benefits," Mr Liu said. The conversation started with Mr Liu questioning Mr Helmy, a senior Transport for NSW figure, about the rates of various subcontractors. Mr Liu felt that some of their regular contractors, such as Protection Barriers, were ripping them off and that their prices were too high. Mr Helmy called it a COVID tax, inflation, because "things were getting expensive", Mr Liu said. In later conversations, the tone became more serious and the specifics of the how-to were discussed. During work-related phone calls, Mr Helmy made comments about having "a really safe way" to get cash kickbacks if they wanted to, Mr Liu said. "He said to me can you inflate the rates and I was shocked because I thought how could you ... how could you do that with all the oversight," Mr Liu said. "I didn't think it was feasible. He said 'I have my ways'." It was as simple as changing the rate, for example if the rate was $100 a linear metre, he would change it to $120'. That was one of the ways, he said. Another way was to add "extra services" such as traffic control, and a variety of things into the invoice, Mr Liu said. He was shocked that a procurement officer could do that Mr Liu said, but he also went along with it, and is accused of receiving more than $100,000 in kickbacks. Rob Ranken SC, Counsel Assisting the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in its inquiry into Transport for NSW corruption, asked him why he didn't report it. Mr Liu said he had done some soul searching about that, and part of the explanation was that he felt his career was going nowhere. "I think at that time a senior project position came up and I didn't win it," Mr Liu said. "It's fair to say I didn't do well in the interview. I felt, for whatever it's worth, no matter how good I am, this is it, this is my life forever. That's not an excuse though." Mr Liu said in other conversations with Mr Helmy they discussed in greater depth how the rort would work. "I asked, if you can inflate the rates, why do you need me," Mr Liu said. If he added extra items he needed me to look the other way, he said. Mr Helmy would supply a rate from the contractors on the panel, and then Mr Liu was to say how much money was left in the budget, and they could add that on to the bill and take it for themselves. "Basically he just wanted to add stuff and I just had to sign it when the invoice was issued that those additional items that were provided actually weren't provided," Mr Liu said. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement officer Mr Helmy, who is in hiding, between 2012 and 2024 has come under the microscope of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). ICAC is investigating allegations Mr Helmy was involved in corrupt relationships with companies that were paid at least $343 million in contracts. He is wanted by police and is believed to be in hiding after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport in September. He is the principal - but not only - official involved in the ICAC inquiry. Investigations led to raids in September on the head office of Protection Barriers, one of the state's biggest roadworks companies, headed by Jason Chellew. Mr Ranken said in his opening address that he expected the evidence to show that Mr Liu received between $100,000 and $150,000 from Mr Chellew as part of a hire truck arrangement.
The Advertiser
14-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Streets paved with gold in alleged roadworks corruption
Cash, cryptocurrency and even gold nuggets are among the alleged spoils of a long-running scheme to rig and inflate contracts for roadworks. A former department officer is believed to be in hiding, after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement officer Ibrahim Helmy between 2012 and 2024 has come under the microscope of the state's Independent Commission Against Corruption. A senior barrister assisting the commission's inquiry notes it is only the agency's latest corruption cloud. "This is the fourth public inquiry into corruption in procurement processes at Transport for NSW since 2019," Rob Ranken SC said on Monday. Past inquiries found department officials had manipulated procurements and contracts for corrupt benefits and the current inquiry is expected to reveal similar conduct, Mr Ranken said. Helmy is suspected to have received more than $11.5 million from the alleged scheme, which involved contracts worth more than $343 million. Cash stuffed in envelopes, cryptocurrency transfers Helmy allegedly coached people through and nuggets of gold bullion were among payments, Mr Ranken told the inquiry. Helmy has been wanted since May after failing to appear before the NSW Crime Commission. The commission held his Australian passport when Helmy was detected at Sydney Airport awaiting a flight to China in September 2024. Computers and storage devices were seized along with a US passport, before Helmy was released on conditions. But he failed to return from putting the bins out one Sunday night according to his family, who have not reported him missing, Mr Ranken said. Helmy is believed to still be in NSW and to have received assistance to avoid apprehension. "We suspect it is only a matter of time before he is located and we urge him to come forward of his own volition," Mr Ranken said. The inquiry is expected to hear from managers and directors of companies Helmy allegedly helped receive lucrative government work. A number of other transport officials are also subject to the inquiry, with hopes it can make recommendations to improve the department's policies and processes. The investigation led to raids on the head office of Protection Barriers, one of the state's biggest roadworks companies, in September. The business secured significant deals worth more than $110 million from Transport for NSW for road safety work. Luxury cars were seized from the company's headquarters in northern NSW, before the firm fell into voluntary administration in March. Company founder Jason Chellew told the inquiry Helmy had proposed inflating contracts and splitting the increase. "We were worried that if we said no, we would have got no work," Mr Chellew said. The inquiry also expects to hear from Peco and Saso Jankulovski, directors of Complete Linemarking Services, later in the week. Cash, cryptocurrency and even gold nuggets are among the alleged spoils of a long-running scheme to rig and inflate contracts for roadworks. A former department officer is believed to be in hiding, after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement officer Ibrahim Helmy between 2012 and 2024 has come under the microscope of the state's Independent Commission Against Corruption. A senior barrister assisting the commission's inquiry notes it is only the agency's latest corruption cloud. "This is the fourth public inquiry into corruption in procurement processes at Transport for NSW since 2019," Rob Ranken SC said on Monday. Past inquiries found department officials had manipulated procurements and contracts for corrupt benefits and the current inquiry is expected to reveal similar conduct, Mr Ranken said. Helmy is suspected to have received more than $11.5 million from the alleged scheme, which involved contracts worth more than $343 million. Cash stuffed in envelopes, cryptocurrency transfers Helmy allegedly coached people through and nuggets of gold bullion were among payments, Mr Ranken told the inquiry. Helmy has been wanted since May after failing to appear before the NSW Crime Commission. The commission held his Australian passport when Helmy was detected at Sydney Airport awaiting a flight to China in September 2024. Computers and storage devices were seized along with a US passport, before Helmy was released on conditions. But he failed to return from putting the bins out one Sunday night according to his family, who have not reported him missing, Mr Ranken said. Helmy is believed to still be in NSW and to have received assistance to avoid apprehension. "We suspect it is only a matter of time before he is located and we urge him to come forward of his own volition," Mr Ranken said. The inquiry is expected to hear from managers and directors of companies Helmy allegedly helped receive lucrative government work. A number of other transport officials are also subject to the inquiry, with hopes it can make recommendations to improve the department's policies and processes. The investigation led to raids on the head office of Protection Barriers, one of the state's biggest roadworks companies, in September. The business secured significant deals worth more than $110 million from Transport for NSW for road safety work. Luxury cars were seized from the company's headquarters in northern NSW, before the firm fell into voluntary administration in March. Company founder Jason Chellew told the inquiry Helmy had proposed inflating contracts and splitting the increase. "We were worried that if we said no, we would have got no work," Mr Chellew said. The inquiry also expects to hear from Peco and Saso Jankulovski, directors of Complete Linemarking Services, later in the week. Cash, cryptocurrency and even gold nuggets are among the alleged spoils of a long-running scheme to rig and inflate contracts for roadworks. A former department officer is believed to be in hiding, after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement officer Ibrahim Helmy between 2012 and 2024 has come under the microscope of the state's Independent Commission Against Corruption. A senior barrister assisting the commission's inquiry notes it is only the agency's latest corruption cloud. "This is the fourth public inquiry into corruption in procurement processes at Transport for NSW since 2019," Rob Ranken SC said on Monday. Past inquiries found department officials had manipulated procurements and contracts for corrupt benefits and the current inquiry is expected to reveal similar conduct, Mr Ranken said. Helmy is suspected to have received more than $11.5 million from the alleged scheme, which involved contracts worth more than $343 million. Cash stuffed in envelopes, cryptocurrency transfers Helmy allegedly coached people through and nuggets of gold bullion were among payments, Mr Ranken told the inquiry. Helmy has been wanted since May after failing to appear before the NSW Crime Commission. The commission held his Australian passport when Helmy was detected at Sydney Airport awaiting a flight to China in September 2024. Computers and storage devices were seized along with a US passport, before Helmy was released on conditions. But he failed to return from putting the bins out one Sunday night according to his family, who have not reported him missing, Mr Ranken said. Helmy is believed to still be in NSW and to have received assistance to avoid apprehension. "We suspect it is only a matter of time before he is located and we urge him to come forward of his own volition," Mr Ranken said. The inquiry is expected to hear from managers and directors of companies Helmy allegedly helped receive lucrative government work. A number of other transport officials are also subject to the inquiry, with hopes it can make recommendations to improve the department's policies and processes. The investigation led to raids on the head office of Protection Barriers, one of the state's biggest roadworks companies, in September. The business secured significant deals worth more than $110 million from Transport for NSW for road safety work. Luxury cars were seized from the company's headquarters in northern NSW, before the firm fell into voluntary administration in March. Company founder Jason Chellew told the inquiry Helmy had proposed inflating contracts and splitting the increase. "We were worried that if we said no, we would have got no work," Mr Chellew said. The inquiry also expects to hear from Peco and Saso Jankulovski, directors of Complete Linemarking Services, later in the week. Cash, cryptocurrency and even gold nuggets are among the alleged spoils of a long-running scheme to rig and inflate contracts for roadworks. A former department officer is believed to be in hiding, after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement officer Ibrahim Helmy between 2012 and 2024 has come under the microscope of the state's Independent Commission Against Corruption. A senior barrister assisting the commission's inquiry notes it is only the agency's latest corruption cloud. "This is the fourth public inquiry into corruption in procurement processes at Transport for NSW since 2019," Rob Ranken SC said on Monday. Past inquiries found department officials had manipulated procurements and contracts for corrupt benefits and the current inquiry is expected to reveal similar conduct, Mr Ranken said. Helmy is suspected to have received more than $11.5 million from the alleged scheme, which involved contracts worth more than $343 million. Cash stuffed in envelopes, cryptocurrency transfers Helmy allegedly coached people through and nuggets of gold bullion were among payments, Mr Ranken told the inquiry. Helmy has been wanted since May after failing to appear before the NSW Crime Commission. The commission held his Australian passport when Helmy was detected at Sydney Airport awaiting a flight to China in September 2024. Computers and storage devices were seized along with a US passport, before Helmy was released on conditions. But he failed to return from putting the bins out one Sunday night according to his family, who have not reported him missing, Mr Ranken said. Helmy is believed to still be in NSW and to have received assistance to avoid apprehension. "We suspect it is only a matter of time before he is located and we urge him to come forward of his own volition," Mr Ranken said. The inquiry is expected to hear from managers and directors of companies Helmy allegedly helped receive lucrative government work. A number of other transport officials are also subject to the inquiry, with hopes it can make recommendations to improve the department's policies and processes. The investigation led to raids on the head office of Protection Barriers, one of the state's biggest roadworks companies, in September. The business secured significant deals worth more than $110 million from Transport for NSW for road safety work. Luxury cars were seized from the company's headquarters in northern NSW, before the firm fell into voluntary administration in March. Company founder Jason Chellew told the inquiry Helmy had proposed inflating contracts and splitting the increase. "We were worried that if we said no, we would have got no work," Mr Chellew said. The inquiry also expects to hear from Peco and Saso Jankulovski, directors of Complete Linemarking Services, later in the week.
The Age
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
Plans for school in booming suburb ditched, despite $20 million already spent
The state government has ditched plans to build a second public school in a booming western Sydney suburb, despite already having spent $20 million on the project. The former Coalition government announced plans to build a second public school in Westmead in 2018. But visions for the school regularly shifted at the hands of School Infrastructure NSW, and was referred to as a 'problem site' at a recent Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry. After questions from the Herald about an additional $953,000 for 'Westmead school projects' in this year's budget, the state government this week confirmed it had abandoned trying to find a location for the school. Instead, it will spend that money upgrading and expanding existing primary schools at Westmead and nearby Rydalmere, Rydalmere East and Ermington West. The government is also investigating sites for new high schools in Westmead and Rydalmere, said Acting Education Minister Courtney Houssos. 'The Minns Labor government is drawing a line under two grossly flawed proposals put forward by the former Liberal-National government that they announced without adequate planning or due diligence, with potentially disastrous results,' she said in a statement, describing the plans as 'nothing more than a media announcement' with 'no plan to ever deliver'. Loading 'We know that there will be future population growth in these areas, and we are committed to building new schools to meet the long-term needs of local families with site selection work well under way.' Numbers from this year's budget show an estimated $20,485,000 has been spent on the project since its inception, a figure which includes some land acquisition.
Sydney Morning Herald
12-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Plans for school in booming suburb ditched, despite $20 million already spent
The state government has ditched plans to build a second public school in a booming western Sydney suburb, despite already having spent $20 million on the project. The former Coalition government announced plans to build a second public school in Westmead in 2018. But visions for the school regularly shifted at the hands of School Infrastructure NSW, and was referred to as a 'problem site' at a recent Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry. After questions from the Herald about an additional $953,000 for 'Westmead school projects' in this year's budget, the state government this week confirmed it had abandoned trying to find a location for the school. Instead, it will spend that money upgrading and expanding existing primary schools at Westmead and nearby Rydalmere, Rydalmere East and Ermington West. The government is also investigating sites for new high schools in Westmead and Rydalmere, said Acting Education Minister Courtney Houssos. 'The Minns Labor government is drawing a line under two grossly flawed proposals put forward by the former Liberal-National government that they announced without adequate planning or due diligence, with potentially disastrous results,' she said in a statement, describing the plans as 'nothing more than a media announcement' with 'no plan to ever deliver'. Loading 'We know that there will be future population growth in these areas, and we are committed to building new schools to meet the long-term needs of local families with site selection work well under way.' Numbers from this year's budget show an estimated $20,485,000 has been spent on the project since its inception, a figure which includes some land acquisition.
The Age
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Daryl Maguire found guilty of misleading corruption watchdog
Former NSW Liberal MP Daryl Maguire has been found guilty of giving misleading evidence to the corruption watchdog about benefits he expected to receive from the potential sale of a multimillion-dollar Sydney property. Maguire, the former member for Wagga Wagga, provided evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption as it investigated Canterbury City Council in 2018. He was found guilty on Friday morning. The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment. A recorded phone call and a wiretap were key pieces of evidence in Maguire's trial, which took place in February and May this year. Loading Maguire was captured speaking to then-Canterbury councillor Michael Hawatt about the potential sale of a 300-unit site in Campsie for Chinese company Country Garden to buy and develop in May 2016. In the call, Maguire told Hawatt he 'need[ed] a few things to feed my friends', and said that they wanted '30 projects rolling'. 'My client is mega-big and got mega-money,' Maguire said. 'What's he going to give you to sell it?' Maguire asked.
