Disgraced former NSW Labor minister Eddie Obeid has walked free after spending three years behind bars.
The 76-year-old was convicted of misconduct in public office in 2016 and was sentenced to five years' prison with a non-parole period of three years.
He was found to be lobbying senior water bureaucrats for the rights to waterfront businesses without disclosing family business interests in cafe leases on Sydney's Circular Quay.
He was granted parole last month after a private meeting with the NSW State Parole Authority (SPA).
Obeid did not speak to media as he left Silverwater Correctional Centre on Saturday morning with his lawyer and several family members.
He left the jail wearing a cap and sunglasses and hugged his son before getting into a tinted van with the rest of his family.
The former Labor powerbroker may be home for Christmas, but there were strict conditions to his parole.
He is not allowed to be involved in the control of money or assets of other people or organisations.
Obeid cannot leave the state or country without permission from authorities and he must alert police if he changes address, contact details or employment.
The SPA granted Obeid parole last month, finding he had "demonstrated satisfactory prison performance".
It also took into account Obeid's age and the fact it was his first incarceration.
