You hear the words ‘‘disgust’’ and ‘‘outrage’’ a fair bit in Newcastle these days. ‘‘Absolutely bloody disgrace’’ is also popular, as well as variations on ‘‘trust’’ and ‘‘betrayal’’. But long-time local John Miner prefers to keep it simple: ‘‘Pissed off’’’, he says. ‘‘People up here are really, really pissed off. In Sydney perhaps they’re more used to it, but for us, this level of corruption is not something that has been part of our culture.’’

ICAC’s revelations of corrupt behaviour from Newcastle state member Tim Owen and Charlestown MP Andrew Cornwell – of brown paper bags and back-room deals, of lies and counter-lies – is the talk of the town, a conversational staple discussed and dissected in pubs and cafes, in newsagents and the sidelines of sports events.

Andrew Cornwell arrives at ICAC with his wife. Credit:Daniel Munoz

‘‘I’ve just come from my kids’ athletics carnival,’’ Jane Oakley says. ‘‘It’s all people were talking about.’’

Oakley, who is also the spokeswoman for the Greens party, has two children at Mount Hutton Primary School, where Andrew Cornwell recently appeared for Education Week. ‘‘He was handing out awards to students for good behaviour,’’ Oakley says, ruefully.