The independent Commission Against Corruption has been tasked with the investigation of Arthur Sinodinos. The question there is essentially whether his $200,000.00 salary from Australian Water was a means for the company to win contracts they otherwise would not have. Conspiracy is a criminal offence at common law in NSW. Conspiracy to defraud is the type of offence Sinodinos may by culpable of.
The perpetrator must be shown to intend to cause economic loss or prejudice to the victim. In this case, you and I. Alternatively if it is shown that Sinodinos was himself deceived then those who enticed him have committed the conspiracy.
One of the seminal cases is R v Simonidis (1983) 2QLD54 which is strikingly similar in name. It may be the case that by taking the $200,000.00 salary from Australian Water, Sinodinos has put his interests above the people of NSW and there has been a conspiracy to defraud.