Former NSW mining minister Ian Macdonald has failed to keep criminal charges against him secret.

Macdonald is the second Labor identity to be charged over a multimillion-dollar coal deal in a NSW corruption inquiry.

Eddie Obeid and his son Moses were charged last year over a $30 million coal deal involving their family property at Mount Penny in the Bylong Valley.

During his time as mining minister, it is alleged that Mr Macdonald oversaw the creation of a lucrative coal tenement over the Obeids' property.

Mr Macdonald’s legal team fought to keep the charges laid last year over the Mount Penny deal secret, but Local Court magistrate Jennifer Atkinson has rejected the application, saying there was a “public interest in open justice”.

A committal hearing to test the strength of the prosecution's case and determine if the men should stand trial had been set for August, but has now been delayed until December 5.

Eddie Obeid’s health has also allowed a delay in his sentencing over separate business dealings at Circular Quay.