Sydney Morning Herald • November 14, 2012
Full context and official NSW ICAC findings • Updated May 2026
The 2012 Sydney Morning Herald article was published before the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) conducted its public inquiry into the Mount Penny coal tenement (Operation Jasper).
It was based on speculative reporting and unverified personal anecdotes circulating at the time. The article did not — and could not — include the Commission’s later formal assessment of the evidence.
"The Commission has formed the view that the evidence given by Mr Brook was to be generally honest and accurate. There were numerous instances where Mr Brook gave evidence that was against his own self-interest."
— NSW ICAC, Operation Jasper Report (July 2013), Chapter 18
Read the full Special Report on Mr Brook (PDF)
No adverse findings were ever made against Paul Gardner Brook. He was never charged with any offence and was not referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Paul Gardner Brook is an independent strategic analyst and thought leader specialising in geopolitics, energy policy, ESG, and global strategic risk. His primary website and official integrity record is hosted at gardnerbrook.com.