Former NSW Labor minister Eddie Obeid will ask for a temporary stay of his criminal trial because of the "enormous pre-trial publicity."

"Not guilty, your honour," said the 71-year-old former Labor powerbroker as the charges relating to misconduct in public office were read to him on Friday by Justice Peter Johnson of the NSW Supreme Court.

Former mining minister Ian Macdonald entered a not guilty plea to separate misconduct charges and his lawyer told the court he may also seek a stay because Mr Macdonald is "only on a parliamentary pension" and is having trouble funding his defence.

Mr Obeid was charged following a finding by the Independent Commission Against Corruption that he corruptly lobbied former Maritime NSW boss Steve Dunn and others over cafe leases secretly held by his family at Circular Quay.