Former NSW treasurer tells ICAC of 'conspiracy' call

Ousted MP Jodi McKay was full of conspiracy theories when she called Eric Roozendaal in the final days of her term, the former NSW treasurer has told the corruption watchdog.

Ms McKay, who was booted from NSW parliament at the 2011 poll following an alleged smear campaign funded by Nathan Tinkler's Buildev, has already given her side of the telephone call.

She told the state's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) earlier this year Mr Tinkler had offered her a bribe and that she believed Mr Roozendaal knew about it.

She said she called Mr Roozendaal a month out from the 2011 election to express her "grave concerns" about the government's delays in announcing support for a container terminal, which rivalled a Buildev plan for a lucrative coal-loader.

"He went silent, and in a low voice he said, `haven't you spoken to Tinkler?'" Ms McKay told the ICAC.

Mr Roozendaal said he only mentioned Mr Tinkler's name because he thought the coal baron might explain to Ms McKay that the proposed coal-loader and a container terminal could co-exist.

"She raised the issue of the container terminal, demanded to know why it was being delayed, was it because of the coal-loader, was I in a conspiracy against her," Mr Roozendaal said today.

"It was a highly emotive conversation and I was quite concerned by her."

He told the ICAC he may have warned Ms McKay not to make allegations of impropriety over the phone because of the "need to always be conscious during an election campaign that you should be discreet on the phones".

Mr Roozendaal then added that this was not because he thought his calls were being intercepted.

The ICAC has heard evidence Mr Roozendaal repeatedly pushed for Buildev's coal-loader plans, flouting advice from his chief ports advisor Sam Crosby and against the urgings of expert anti-corruption advice provided to his department.

The inquiry continues.