The Crown case was a "reductionist, revisionist attempt to rewrite the history" about Macdonald's "positive and pragmatic approach", his barrister, Jonathan Martin, said on Monday.

He was giving his opening address at the NSW Supreme Court trial of Macdonald, fellow former NSW Labor minister Eddie Obeid and his son Moses Obeid.

They have pleaded not guilty to conspiring together over the granting of a coalmining exploration licence in an area that included the Obeid family farm, Cherrydale Park at Mt Penny in the Bylong Valley, near Mudgee.

Macdonald, 70, Obeid, 76, and his 50-year-old son are alleged to have plotted between September 2007 and January 2009 for the former -then mineral resources minister - to "wilfully misconduct" himself.

His alleged misconduct involves breaching his duties and obligations of impartiality and confidentiality as a NSW minister in connection with the granting of the licence and in relation to the Obeid interests.

The Crown contends the Obeid family negotiated a $60 million payment - half of which was paid - from the winning bidder of the licence after allegedly receiving inside information on the tender process from Macdonald.

"There is no evidence to be adduced at this trial that Mr Macdonald was advised where Cherrydale was located," Mr Martin said on Monday.

The Bylong Valley area measured about 600 sq km and contained more than 100 properties, and Cherrydale was acquired well before the involvement of Macdonald.

Mr Martin said there was no evidence to link Macdonald to the release of any confidential information.

The Crown case was "completely devoid of the contemporary contextual reality" of the budgetary and political issues in 2008, including equine influenza, proposals for the privatisation of electricity, and the redevelopment of Randwick racecourse.

Macdonald's enthusiastic support for releasing mining exploration licences was a way to raise revenue for the people of NSW and to avoid forced redundancies and sackings, particularly in rural areas, his barrister said.

He rejected the Crown's contention that Macdonald and Eddie Obeid had a "close relationship", submitting it was a professional relationship and the description ignored their opposing political factions.

Macdonald "did not receive any benefit" and was not involved in any agreement to benefit the Obeids.

The Crown's case was "pure speculation and conjecture" with an absence of any evidence, Mr Martin said.

In a brief opening address on behalf of Eddie Obeid, his barrister April Francis referred to the absence of evidence that Macdonald was advised as to where Cherrydale was located.

She also referred to an evidentiary vacuum, complex commercial arrangements and an "innocent alternative hypothesis".

The opening address on behalf of Moses Obeid is expected to be given on Tuesday at the judge-alone trial.

Australian Associated Press