South Wales Socialist Left faction, but was formally expelled in December 2009 for his role in Rees's downfall. Keneally restored Macdonald to the ministry following her election as Premier, making him the Minister for Major Events, Mineral and Forest Resources, State and Regional Development and Central Coast. Macdonald was plagued by scandal surrounding a trip to Dubai made in 2008, which led him to resign from the ministry on 4 June 2010 on the same day as the resignation of Minister Graham West. Macdonald's Dubai trip was investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) after a government report found he misused public funds. On 7 June 2010 Macdonald resigned from parliament with immediate effect. He was replaced by Luke Foley, the Assistant General Secretary of the New South Wales Labor Party. In July 2012 Macdonald was suspended by the Australian Labor Party for "conduct contrary to the principles of the party". His membership was subsequently terminated in mid-2013 for bringing the party in disrepute. ICAC inquiries into alleged corrupt behaviour In November 2011 the ICAC commenced an inquiry that heard allegations that Macdonald, while Minister, accepted sexual favours in return for introducing businessman to executives of state-owned energy companies. It was also alleged that property developer Ron Medich acted as a broker for Macdonald and was seeking to do business with government agencies where Macdonald had influence as a Minister. Appearing before the Commission to give evidence in relation to the allegations, Macdonald claimed that he was under the influence of alcohol and suffering the effects of depression at the time of the alleged incident. In November 2012, the ICAC began a series of investigative hearings relating to Macdonald and the property and mining interests of Eddie Obeid, a former Labor minister and "power broker". This inquiry concerned, among other issues, the circumstances surrounding a decision made in 2008 by Macdonald as the Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Mineral Resources, to open a mining area in the Bylong Valley for coal exploration. These circumstances include whether Macdonald's decision was influenced by Obeid. The witnesses list for the inquiry included former NSW Premiers Morris Iemma and Nathan Rees. On 31 July 2013 the Commission found that Macdonald engaged in corrupt conduct by exercising his ministerial influence to arrange a meeting between Ron Medich and Country Energy managing director Craig Murray on 15 July 2009, and, prior to the