One man, who did not give his name, said the Obeids would not be speaking to the media on Saturday. "Enough is enough," he said. Former Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid walking out of Silverwater correctional centre on Saturday morning. Credit:Dean Sewell While the refined streets of Hunters Hill are in contrast to the stark surrounds of Silverwater jail, there are some echoes: the Obeids made good use of their property's high walls and cast iron gate to obscure scrutiny, and security guards were posted around the property. Sheets were strung up in scrub at the rear of the property to hinder photographers too, much as the men who accompanied Obeid from jail used the windscreen wipers on their large black car to spoil photos of the corrupt former Labor powerbroker. The wipers were on such a vigorous setting that Obeid's lawyer Mr Bowe received a spray as he handed paperwork to Silverwater guards as they left.

Built in 1850 as the French consul’s residence, Passy was bought by Obeid’s wife Judy in 1999. It has since been used as security for a number of loans taken out by the family. Despite his lavish homecoming celebrations, Obeid will have plenty on his mind over Christmas as the former minister faces a lengthy trial in the new year. Sources said Obeid's family were unhappy he was being released from Silverwater jail, where media can take photos. Credit:Dean Sewell Prosecutors are alleging Obeid engaged in a conspiracy relating to a 2009 decision by then-resources minister Ian Macdonald to award a highly-lucrative coal exploration license over the Obeid family's farm. Obeid's misconduct conviction and subsequent prison stay were the result of business dealings at Circular Quay, in which he did not declare his family's secret interest in two cafes while lobbying for an extension of leases from the government.

Sentencing Obeid three years ago, NSW Supreme Court Justice Robert Beech-Jones said his conduct was a "very serious" example of a politician breaching their duty to act in the public interest and that "no penalty other than imprisonment is appropriate". "If Mr Obeid had not wilfully abused his position as a parliamentarian then his life and career would be a testament to the values of hard work, family and public service," Justice Beech-Jones said. "Instead, his time in public life has produced a very different legacy." Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Obeid appealed that decision all the way to the High Court, where his special leave application, which is required by all appellants seeking to go before the court, was knocked back in March 2018. He served three years of a five-year sentence after being granted parole in November.

Sources said Obeid's family were unhappy he was being released from Silverwater jail, where media can take photos, rather than Kirkconnell Correctional Centre in Bathurst, where he could be collected from inside the complex in a car. Loading Obeid's upcoming trial also stems from his time as a Labor powerbroker. Obeid, his middle son Moses and Mr Macdonald, the former NSW Labor mining minister, are facing conspiracy charges relating to a 2009 decision by Mr Macdonald to grant a lucrative coal-exploration licence over the Obeid family's farm at Mount Penny in the Bylong Valley. The Independent Commission Against Corruption found in 2013 that Obeid acted corruptly with regard to the license, but his criminal trial on the same subject is only set to commence in February.

It had been delayed due to concerns from Justice Elizabeth Fullerton, who is overseeing the trial, that adverse publicity about Obeid stemming from the ongoing ICAC inquiry into donations to the NSW Labor Party in 2015 would affect his right to a fair trial. "The press coverage of the ICAC hearing included, by way of commentary, repeated adverse reference to the accused Mr Edward Obeid and Mr Ian Macdonald utilising a range of epithets," a summary of a judgment by Justice Fullerton judgment published by the court in September said. Eddie Obeid was escorted from the prison by corrective services officers where he was met by his sons and lawyer. Credit:Dean Sewell The case will be heard by Justice Fullerton alone to avoid the risk of jury members being prejudiced by media reporting. The NSW government cancelled the licenses at the centre of the case after Obeid was found to have engaged in corrupt conduct.

Mr McDonald was separately convicted in 2017 over the allocation of a mining license to Doyles Creek Mining, a company chaired by former union boss John Maitland. That conviction was set aside earlier this year and a retrial ordered after Mr Macdonald and Mr Maitland appealed. Mr McDonald is on bail while he waits for that trial to begin.