Editing Ian Sinclair (section)

====Finnane Report and aftermath====
[[File:Ian Sinclair 1970 (a).jpg|thumb|upright|Sinclair addressing an audience in [[Darwin, Northern Territory]], in 1970]]
In 1978, New South Wales Attorney-General [[Frank Walker (Australian politician)|Frank Walker]] appointed Michael Finnane to inquire into the financial dealings of Sinclair's father George, who had died in January 1976. The Finnane Report, which was [[tabled]] in the Parliament of New South Wales on 27 September 1979, alleged that Ian Sinclair had improperly loaned himself money from companies he controlled, attempted to conceal the loans, and forged his father's signature on company returns.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110600735|title=Report says Sinclair forged signatures|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=27 September 1979}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/250490851|title=Sinclair named in swindle company|newspaper=[[Papua New Guinea Post-Courier]]|date=27 September 1979}}</ref> As a result, Sinclair resigned from the ministry.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110601054|title=The letter of resignation|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=28 September 1979}}</ref> His supporters criticised the report on several grounds, including that the inquiry was conducted in secret, that its release prejudiced Sinclair's right to a fair trial, and that it was politically biased as both Walker and Finnane were members of the ALP.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110602467|title=An apt time to examine privileges and roles|newspaper=The Canberra Times|first=Jack|last=Waterford|date=3 October 1979}}</ref>

In April 1980, Sinclair was charged with nine counts of fraud, relating to [[Forgery|forging]], [[uttering]], and making false statements on company returns.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110594172|title=Sinclair sent for trial|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=30 April 1980}}</ref> He was found not guilty on all charges on 15 August 1980, following a 23-day trial in the [[District Court of New South Wales]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/125616034|title=Sinclair acquitted on all charges|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=15 August 1980}}</ref>

Sinclair returned to the ministry in August 1980 as Minister for Special Trade Representations. After the [[1980 Australian federal election|1980 election]] he was made [[Minister for Communications (Australia)|Minister for Communications]]. He was finally made [[Minister for Defence (Australia)|Minister for Defence]] in May 1982, holding the position until the government's defeat at the [[1983 Australian federal election|1983 election]].<ref name=aph/>