Baird vows swift action to beef up ICAC

Premier Mike Baird has pledged to act quickly to ensure that those already found corrupt by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) "don't get away with it".

The ICAC was dealt a significant blow by last week's High Court decision that found it had "no power" to conduct a probe into allegations levelled at high-ranking prosecutor Margaret Cunneen, SC.

As a direct result of that ruling, a number of prominent businessmen who were branded corrupt, following an investigation into a coal venture with links to crooked ex-MP Eddie Obeid, are set to have those findings quashed.

"Of course it concerns me, and of course it's not fair," Mr Baird said.

"We can't have a knee-jerk response; we need to consider (the High Court ruling) in detail, which is exactly what we'll do ...

"We're going to do everything we possibly can to have the strongest possible ICAC that we can."

He indicated that he will consider enacting retrospective legislation to strengthen the watchdog.

"I'm open to whatever is required to ensure that those who have been found corrupt don't get away with it," Mr Baird said.

The ICAC on Thursday announced it would consent to orders sought by mining magnate Travers Duncan, John McGuigan, Richard Poole and John Atkinson to have the corrupt conduct findings made against them declared invalid by the NSW Court of Appeal.

The commission has also flagged plans to drop an appeal aimed at having a corruption finding made against RAMS founder John Kinghorn, which was last year set aside by the NSW Supreme Court, reinstated.

Mr Baird is expected to meet with ICAC Commissioner Megan Latham next week.