But as he looks set to be handed the health portfolio after Sussan Ley's resignation,it is another corruption inquiry – Operation Credo – that continues to be a millstone around his neck.
Credo examined corruption in the Eddie Obeid-linked water infrastructure company,Australia Water Holdings,for which Sinodinos was paid $200,000 to be deputy chairman,then chairman for three years up until he became a federal senator in 2011.
The AWH report cannot be handed down by ICAC while the recently-jailed former powerbroker Obeid is still facing prosecution. Obeid,his son Moses and former mining minister Ian Macdonald are due to stand trial later this year over the awarding of a coal lease that resulted in the Obeid family corruptly receiving $30 million.
Operation Spicer made no corruption findings against Sinodinos,and he is not due to face any when the AWH report is finally handled down. However,serious questions are likely to be raised about the adequacy of his actions as company director and his poor performance in the witness box.