Obeids, Macdonald fail to delay hearing

Former NSW ministers Ian Macdonald, Eddie Obeid and his son Moses have lost a bid to delay their conspiracy charge hearing relating to a coal mining exploration licence.

They are facing a two-week committal hearing, beginning on December 5, charged with conspiracy over the issuing of a coal mining exploration licence on Obeid family land at Mount Penny in the Bylong Valley near Mudgee.

In 2013, the Independent Commission Against Corruption found the licence enabled the Obeid family to make $30 million.

On Tuesday in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court, Macdonald's lawyer John Davidson - supported by lawyers for the Obeids - applied to have the committal hearing delayed.

He referred to the vast amount of material recently provided to the defence and yet to be "digested" by the lawyers.

Magistrate Vivien Swain was told 16 witnesses are expected to be called at the committal, which will particularly focus on certain maps.

She refused the application, saying the matter had been before the court for about 16 months and there should be enough time for the defence lawyers to go through the relevant new material.

But she listed the case for further mention in the same court on November 30.