Cash transaction accounts which track money
going in and out of the prosperous prisoner's account.
The Sun-Herald has obtained a special
"wish list" of redevelopments drawn by up by Ngo at the peak of
his political power in 1998.
The handwritten document sets out an
ambitious plan for asset sales and major infrastructure projects.
It is also understood the ICAC has made
preliminary inquiries into the allegations that Ngo still holds sway over
Fairfield Council.
At least one person associated with the
council has already been interviewed by ICAC investigators.
Local business people say they are prepared
to testify under oath that Ngo is still influencing the council from the
confines of his lifer's cell.
One prominent businessman has told
government investigators in a letter that he will reveal possible links
between Australia's first political assassin and council land deals. But he
will only do so before a forum such as the Independent Commission Against
Corruption or a royal commission, where he can make a sworn statement and
those named are compelled to appear.
In another twist, Newman's electorate
secretary and former Fairfield City councillor Ken Chapman yesterday accused
the ICAC of writing the MP's death warrant.
He has uncovered an ICAC letter written to
the council in February 1994 advising that Ngo would not be investigated for
corrupt conduct.
Inexplicably, the letter concluded with the
information that Newman had been pressing for Ngo to be investigated for
corruption.
"I believe that the ICAC letter
prompted Ngo to start preparing John's assassination," he said.
"I also believe if that letter hadn't
been written mentioning John's name he might well be alive today."
Last week Mr Carr appointed two
investigators to probe claims of Ngo's ongoing influence over the council,
vowing that any evidence would be forwarded to police and the ICAC.
Proof of criminality would lead to the
council's sacking, he promised.
Upper House Unity Party leader Peter Wong is
seeking a wider inquiry beyond the council's boundaries.
"We need to establish that the Phuong
Ngo tentacles do not extend through Fairfield to Macquarie Street," Dr
Wong told the Fairfield Champion.
Cabramatta Labor MP Reba Meagher registered
her support for the Local Government Department investigation.
"In the course of my parliamentary
career I have taken differing views on Phuong Ngo depending on the
circumstances," she said. "I can state this publicly and with
confidence and the record will show it."
Asked if she had concerns that her electoral
office's landlord had been identified as an associate of Ngo in a highly
sensitive report, Ms Meagher replied: "Not that I'm aware. The
Parliament negotiated the lease and dealt with all the relevant
agreements."
Meanwhile, Independent Fairfield councillor
Maria Heggie has passed to authorities at least one community offer to go
before a formal inquiry.
Councillors Thang Ngo and Peter Cork have
also supported her call for more in-depth proceedings.
"The inquiry should be broader so that
the community can also come forward and sworn statements can be made,"
Mrs Heggie said. "At the moment it's a Claytons inquiry - the inquiry
you have when you don't really want to have one."