State鈥檚 highest court rules for common sense
The NSW Court of Appeal鈥檚 recent ruling that NSW parliamentary inquiries have no valid power to compel witnesses to appear before them to give evidence is a victory for common sense, says the Public Service Association.
The court ruling means outdated 124-year-old laws recently relied upon in an attempt to compel some of the Premier鈥檚 staff to appear before a parliamentary committee have now been struck down.
The laws are unusual in that they can鈥檛 be used to compel members of parliament, and therefore Ministers, to appear but they can be used to compel their staff.
The case was brought before the court by Premier Chris Minns鈥 chief of staff, James Cullen, after he was asked to appear at a number of parliamentary inquiries.
The court鈥檚 ruling is a victory for common sense, says Public Service Association General Secretary, Stewart Little.
鈥淭his is a victory for common sense,鈥 said Mr Little.
鈥淢inisters and Departmental Secretaries are fair game and should be held to account.
鈥淪taffers and junior public servants should not be used as pawns in political shenanigans.鈥