Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour to face parliamentary probe

A parliamentary inquiry is set to examine allegations that linked Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour to corrupt former MP Eddie Obeid.

Embattled state Labor candidate and Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour is set to face a powerful parliamentary probe into his conduct following a series of allegations levelled against him in parliament.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Local Government Minister Wendy Tuckerman has written to parliament’s State Development Committee asking it to investigate the conduct of Canterbury-Bankstown Council during Mr Asfour’s time as mayor.

The Telegraph understands the inquiry will be similar to the probe established by Labor to investigate the appointment of ex-deputy premier John Barilaro to a plum New York trade role.

While Opposition members of the committee are likely to oppose an inquiry, the Liberal government has the numbers to establish one.

It is understood the inquiry will have a wide-ranging remit to investigate the integrity and processes of Canterbury-Bankstown Council and the former Bankstown City Council.

Parliament’s State Development Committee is likely to hold an inquiry into allegations about Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Former NSW Labor frontbencher Tania Mihailuk used parliamentary privilege to accuse Mr Asfour of using his position as mayor to further the interests of corrupt former Labor minister Eddie Obeid.

Following the extraordinary attack in September, Ms Mihailuk was sacked from the frontbench and then resigned from the party.

Mr Asfour has denied any wrongdoing, and on Wednesday told 2GB he was “no fan” of Obeid and he had been “badgered” by Ms Mihailuk into inviting the former powerbroker to his wedding in 2010.

Ms Mihailuk, the Bankstown mayor at the time, was “trying to get into parliament” and wanted to sit next to Obeid at the wedding, Mr Asfour said.

Former NSW Labor frontbencher Tania Mihailuk made accusations about Mr Asfour in parliament. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The wedding was held at a Bankstown venue linked to the Obeid family and was given a favourable planning assessment in the 2021 Bankstown City Master Plan, Ms Mihailuk has alleged.

“The site of The Bellevue Venue is the highest proposed building height in the southern part of Bankstown CBD, a whopping 25 storeys being earmarked,” she told parliament.

When contacted by the Telegraph, Mr Asfour said he did not know The Bellevue Venue was linked to Mr Obeid.

Khal Asfour pictured at his wedding in September 2010. Picture: Facebook.

Eddie Obeid is central to the probe into Mr Asfour. Picture: Toby Zerna

“I had the wedding at The Bellevue (Venue) because it was big enough to hold 600 people,” he said.

Mr Asfour said he did not recall speaking with Obeid, who is serving a jail sentence for corruption, at his wedding.

“I wasn’t focused on Eddie, or any other MP that was in the room, or any other guest. I was focused on my beautiful wife,” he said.

Mr Asfour is already the subject of an independent inquiry, launched by Canterbury-Bankstown Council, into Ms Mihailuk’s allegations.

Separately, the Office of Local Government has sought an explanation from the council about why Mr Asfour charged ratepayers for a $48,000 business administration course.