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He Who Must Be Obeid: The Untold Story
Queensland had the Fitzgerald Inquiry and the Moonlight State. New South Wales has Eddie Obeid.
Meet Australia's most corrupt politician whose brazen misdeeds were on a scale said to be "unexceeded since the days of the Rum Corps".
From the shadows Obeid ran the state as his fiefdom, making and unmaking premiers. Along the way he pocketed tens of millions of dollars following corrupt deals.
This explosive book chronicles the grubby deals the powerbroker had been making for decades before he was exposed. His tentacles stretched through all levels of government, encircling almost every precious resource - coal leases, Circular Quay cafes, marinas, even the state's water. All of them were secret money-spinners for Obeid and his family.
Above ground, below ground, in the air, on the water, there was no domain beyond Obeid's grasp. Now, many of the key politicians of his era have given a candid account of Obeid's pernicious backroom influence.
Following their groundbreaking investigations, the award-winning journalists Kate McClymont and Linton Besser have unearthed the vast but secret empire Obeid built over the decades, producing an authoritative account of how he got away with so much for so long.
Meet Australia's most corrupt politician whose brazen misdeeds were on a scale said to be "unexceeded since the days of the Rum Corps".
From the shadows Obeid ran the state as his fiefdom, making and unmaking premiers. Along the way he pocketed tens of millions of dollars following corrupt deals.
This explosive book chronicles the grubby deals the powerbroker had been making for decades before he was exposed. His tentacles stretched through all levels of government, encircling almost every precious resource - coal leases, Circular Quay cafes, marinas, even the state's water. All of them were secret money-spinners for Obeid and his family.
Above ground, below ground, in the air, on the water, there was no domain beyond Obeid's grasp. Now, many of the key politicians of his era have given a candid account of Obeid's pernicious backroom influence.
Following their groundbreaking investigations, the award-winning journalists Kate McClymont and Linton Besser have unearthed the vast but secret empire Obeid built over the decades, producing an authoritative account of how he got away with so much for so long.
418 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 17, 2015
I just can't put this book down which is a great inconvenience as I should be devoting my spare time to my thesis. My emotions as I read this fluctuate from hilarity to outrage and strangely even understanding of what can fuel such avarice and amorality. But Eddie alone is not to blame. What is clear is the lack of governance that enabled such corruption to run rife at all levels of government and the desperate need for accountability. Obeid's skills as an entrepreneur are exceptional and I don't think I can name another person with equal hard core ability to deal with risk and uncertainty. Perhaps he was spurred on by his desire to provide for his large family? But he was not just an entrepreneur, he was a sworn politician and as such he has an answerable duty to the people of this country. What is clear is his and his family's deluded belief of a God given right to maximise their advantage in any and every way. Eddie has prepared the manifesto on how to avariciously extract personal gain from an official position and his methods have been studied and replicated closely by many a local council representative with similar aspirations.
June 23, 2015
Kate McClymont has done an excellent job describing the complex and corrupt dealings of a major NSW political parasite and crook. I remember many of the headlines but this has really helped me understand what all the individual news stories meant in a larger context of greed and rorts.
August 7, 2014
This one is pretty much strictly for followers of Australian political intrigue, but it's a well-written and well-researched account of power and corruption in the state of New South Wales.
I have to say up front that despite the quite terrible pun in its title, the book does deliver on its promise to unpick at least some of the tangled webs of controversy around Eddie Obeid, the ex-Labor factional powerbroker who had a lot of trouble keeping his business interests separate from his responsibilities as an elected Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales.
The book has a bigger cast of characters than A Game of Thrones, and they are uglier, too. If you're new to the internecine battles of the New South Wales branch of the Australian Labor party and their retinue of developer mates and crooked businessmen, it can be pretty hard to keep track of them all, but this doesn't detract from the book's readability.
The most astonishing thing about the Obeid case is the lengths he went to to disguise his commercial interests through complex networks of trusts and $2 shelf companies, and his ability to use inside information and political clout to play both ends of crooked deals.
The thing is, it's not merely the story of one bad apple.
Ultimately, the book is about a culture of corruption and cosy deals that taints both sides of politics. The relationship between political donations and the ability to influence policy decisions needs to be constantly scrutinised, and we need effective and robust bodies with the power to investigate, and a strong, independent press.
One of the funnier moments in the book is the section where Obeid offers the co-author Kate McClymond the opportunity to write his official biography. What a great career move on her part that she refused to be bought. Writing He who must be Obeid was a much riskier proposition, and it needed to be done.
I have to say up front that despite the quite terrible pun in its title, the book does deliver on its promise to unpick at least some of the tangled webs of controversy around Eddie Obeid, the ex-Labor factional powerbroker who had a lot of trouble keeping his business interests separate from his responsibilities as an elected Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales.
The book has a bigger cast of characters than A Game of Thrones, and they are uglier, too. If you're new to the internecine battles of the New South Wales branch of the Australian Labor party and their retinue of developer mates and crooked businessmen, it can be pretty hard to keep track of them all, but this doesn't detract from the book's readability.
The most astonishing thing about the Obeid case is the lengths he went to to disguise his commercial interests through complex networks of trusts and $2 shelf companies, and his ability to use inside information and political clout to play both ends of crooked deals.
The thing is, it's not merely the story of one bad apple.
Ultimately, the book is about a culture of corruption and cosy deals that taints both sides of politics. The relationship between political donations and the ability to influence policy decisions needs to be constantly scrutinised, and we need effective and robust bodies with the power to investigate, and a strong, independent press.
One of the funnier moments in the book is the section where Obeid offers the co-author Kate McClymond the opportunity to write his official biography. What a great career move on her part that she refused to be bought. Writing He who must be Obeid was a much riskier proposition, and it needed to be done.
August 15, 2014
Every now and then a book comes along that makes you question the integrity of everything you hold dear to you. Democracy is something that many of us trust in and believe but this book shows just how easily it can all be corrupted without you even knowing.
Kate McClymont and Linton Besser have done an extensive investigation into exposing the alleged corrupt dealings of New South Wales Labor politician Eddie Obeid and his family. The allegations are so serious about Obied that he has appeared before the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) to explain his involvement.
What you are with presented with is a complex web of companies, deals, loans, personalities that all swirl around Obeid and his family. The core of the tale is power and greed with Eddie Obied Senior positioning himself as Kingmaker in the Australian Labor Party. Having secured a power base, Obied then allegedly systematically used his influence to bring about a series of deals where he and his family financially benefited.
The scale of corruption and the number of people involved is just mind boggling. For many of the people involved the idea of performing a public service was more about lining their pockets with as much cash as possible.
I should not be surprised that this has happened but maybe Australians are still too naïve to believe that systemic corruption at all levels of government can occur. This book tells me that it is and there is probably not a local council, State or Federal Government that has not been tainted in some way but it.
A compelling read and one that I would highly recommend for people who study Australian politics.
Kate McClymont and Linton Besser have done an extensive investigation into exposing the alleged corrupt dealings of New South Wales Labor politician Eddie Obeid and his family. The allegations are so serious about Obied that he has appeared before the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) to explain his involvement.
What you are with presented with is a complex web of companies, deals, loans, personalities that all swirl around Obeid and his family. The core of the tale is power and greed with Eddie Obied Senior positioning himself as Kingmaker in the Australian Labor Party. Having secured a power base, Obied then allegedly systematically used his influence to bring about a series of deals where he and his family financially benefited.
The scale of corruption and the number of people involved is just mind boggling. For many of the people involved the idea of performing a public service was more about lining their pockets with as much cash as possible.
I should not be surprised that this has happened but maybe Australians are still too naïve to believe that systemic corruption at all levels of government can occur. This book tells me that it is and there is probably not a local council, State or Federal Government that has not been tainted in some way but it.
A compelling read and one that I would highly recommend for people who study Australian politics.
June 29, 2016
Was reading it at a time when Obeid was again in Court and there was a profound cheer from a multitude of people, undoubtedly many who had read the McClymont-Besser book, that the Judge found Obeid guilty of the crime of misusing his position as a Minister of Government to further his own venal interests. At last they have got him! HE WHO MUST BE OBEID, is an excellent read about a man who was exposed of corrupt practices, vote manipulation, branch stacking, dodgy deals, threatening many by suing those who "expose him" as a venal person to promote family gain through undoubted charm, sharp practice and large dollops of sleaze. Each chapter is a further unveiling of Clan Obeid chicanery, and while the book ends with Obeid beautifully exposed yet still a cock-about-town (Sydney), his recent criminal conviction, with the strong possibility of a custodial sentence, will be viewed with great satisfaction, in the State of New South Wales. I found it a riveting read about widespread corrupt practice by a man who became an important Cabinet minister, in the Labor Government
June 14, 2017
Kate McClymont is an amazing investigative journalist, and we owe her a huge debt for her public service in uncovering so many issues of corruption and political and corporate misbehaviour in Australia. I'd read a lot of her writing on this subject in the SMH over the years, so was interested to read the full story here. But the level of detail that she has uncovered is almost too much - the book is full of back stories and connections to shady characters, and it is almost too much. I think that it would be difficult to know as much as she does about how our world really works without becoming cynical - and I certainly feel a lot worse now than I did before reading this grim indictment of the Australian political system. Blah - I need some light escapism now! A compelling (if depressing) story.
September 26, 2021
EYE OPENING
As made clear in this well researched book, Edie Obieds purpose in life was to enrich himself and his family and damn the rest of us. This book exposes the lies and treachery that like a cancer can grow unsuspected within the halls of government. Hopefully we can all learn from this sorry tale
As made clear in this well researched book, Edie Obieds purpose in life was to enrich himself and his family and damn the rest of us. This book exposes the lies and treachery that like a cancer can grow unsuspected within the halls of government. Hopefully we can all learn from this sorry tale
December 8, 2023
In this book, McClymont and Besser recount how Eddie Obeid drove the political scandals that rocked the State of New South Wales in the 2010s. The exhaustive investigation(s) exposed a litany of back room deals that truly stretched what can be considered ethical behaviour in public office and the corporate world. It’s gripping reading.
March 28, 2019
What a story , worth the read even if you can remember most of the events. A swirl of corruption and the demise of someone who didn’t think that what he was doing was wrong. A well researched and well explained saga of one murky event after another.
May 4, 2025
A horrific story end-to-end that seems almost unbelievable. You can't make this stuff up.
Kate McClymont is an amazing investigative journalist and an incredibly brave women.
Eddie resides where he does now, in large part to the work of Kate and her service to society and the people of NSW.
Kate McClymont is an amazing investigative journalist and an incredibly brave women.
Eddie resides where he does now, in large part to the work of Kate and her service to society and the people of NSW.
August 16, 2025
3.5 stars
Hats off to the authors for managing to wade through the quagmire of Eddie Obeid’s life and mountain of corruption, which knew no bounds. I am exhausted!
Eddie Obeid and NSW Labor Govt’s level of corruption was on par with Qld’s Sir Joh.
Hats off to the authors for managing to wade through the quagmire of Eddie Obeid’s life and mountain of corruption, which knew no bounds. I am exhausted!
Eddie Obeid and NSW Labor Govt’s level of corruption was on par with Qld’s Sir Joh.
August 28, 2019
Typical Labour corruption ... and back in the news now with another political donations scam ... I got tired of reading how crook this lot were and skimmed the last few chapters, it was predictable.
October 8, 2019
The gruelling and fascinating work of exposing corruption in contemporary New South Wales politics, presented tightly by award winning journalists Kate McClymont and Linton Besser.
August 14, 2020
A very cunning man.
June 26, 2023
A shameful political chapter unwrapped in meticulous and substantiated detail. A true account so breathtakingly sordid as to be almost unbelievable.
January 18, 2024
This book was absolutely riveting. Big recommend for nsw politics nerds
January 3, 2017
It has taken a very long time for me to finish this book. About halfway through I had become so angry and disillusioned that I couldn't continue. It wasn't because of the corruption of the Obeid, this should not have been a surprise to anyone, but the number of hangers-on who went along for the ride including members of parliament.
By the end of 2016 Eddie Obeid sits in jail and further criminal charges are pending. I was able to finish this book knowing that there has been some justice handed out. I remain sceptical as to whether Obeid will serve his full term, and I expect to see the legal manoeuvring drag out future criminal cases.
After uncovering the corruption of the Obeid, the NSW government is going to cut the powers of ICAC. What do they have to hide?
By the end of 2016 Eddie Obeid sits in jail and further criminal charges are pending. I was able to finish this book knowing that there has been some justice handed out. I remain sceptical as to whether Obeid will serve his full term, and I expect to see the legal manoeuvring drag out future criminal cases.
After uncovering the corruption of the Obeid, the NSW government is going to cut the powers of ICAC. What do they have to hide?
January 17, 2015
All I can say is "what a disgraceful state of affairs". Needed to take many metaphorical "showers" while reading about the behaviour of not just parliamentarian Eddie Obeid but all his other corrupt associates (and these people are from both sides of politics and the business community). It kind of proves the adage "too big to fail"! Obeid had his grubby hands in so many piles and did so with the help of many people in positions of power who either turned a blind eye or were involved themselves that his exposure relied on two quite fearless journalists. Well done Kate and Linton on this very important book.
October 2, 2014
Actually only half-read. I got bored - so much corruption! It really just chronicles his life and all the dodgy incidences along the way. It is great investigative journalism but I think I need more of a story to keep me reading.
June 15, 2015
Fascinating and it gives some of the back story and likely motivations for Eddie Obeid's behaviour. I could only read it in small doses as it depressed me that so many people could be so easily led astray!
March 20, 2016
This is such a depressing book. The man, indeed his whole family it appears, are sociopaths. They seem to have no sense of the public good, only what will profit their family. The authors have done us a great service, hopefully the courts will do likewise.
July 14, 2015
What a bunch of crooked bastards.
December 28, 2014
Staggering! Puts all of the news stories over many years into a context. Fascinating, enlightening, breathtaking!
Read
December 11, 2024Well-researched, thorough, fascinating and infuriating.
June 16, 2015
Utterly brilliant study of the venal and the corrupt - a must read for every student of NSW public life.
Read
July 29, 2016This tale would be unbelievable as fiction. We owe thanks to Kate McClymont for persisting to wade though Obeid's mud from start to finish.
January 13, 2017
A decent accounting of the corruption in New South Wales, if one lacking in panache or a clear throughline to make it truely a compelling story. Very dry
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews