Minns said he wouldn’t ‘gloat’ about Icac hearings into the Liberals. Instead, he’s quietly taking out the trash

Minns Maintains Composure as NSW Government Unveils Critical Documents Amid ICAC Probe

Wanderstayfinder.com – While the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s Operation Rosny hearings into the New South Wales Liberal party commenced, Premier Chris Minns projected an image of restraint. Addressing journalists during the opening week, the Labor leader emphasized that his government would neither celebrate nor exploit the proceedings. “There’ll be no gloating or taking political advantage,” Minns declared, framing the investigation as a constructive mechanism for strengthening political integrity across all parties. He expressed hope that the process would demonstrate to potential offenders that oversight was active and vigilant.

However, a more pragmatic interpretation of events has emerged as the hearings progress through what ICAC has indicated will be at least eight weeks of proceedings. The Labor administration has methodically released significant documentation on multiple fronts, strategically timing these disclosures to coincide with Liberal-related revelations. This coordinated approach has drawn comparisons to quietly removing unwanted items—a metaphorical “taking out the trash” that could prove politically consequential for the opposition.

The Sackar Report and Tudehope’s Complications

The most prominent document unveiled this week was the long-delayed review by former Supreme Court Justice John Sackar concerning hate speech legislation. Attorney General Michael Daley presented the report during an ICAC appearance by Damien Tudehope, the Liberal leader in the upper house. The timing proved particularly pointed, as Tudehope, serving as shadow attorney general, had championed the report’s release while the government maintained it remained “cabinet in confidence” since November.

The government’s initial refusal to publish the Sackar review resulted in the suspension of Labor minister John Graham in May. Now, with the report finally tabled, Tudehope found himself navigating multiple challenges simultaneously. During his Tuesday morning testimony, he addressed his participation in conservative Liberal events, including an appearance opposing the Safe Schools program, which aimed to protect gay and transgender students.

Later that afternoon, Daley announced the government would not adopt the Sackar review’s principal recommendation: expanding the controversial incitement of hatred offence beyond race to encompass religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The attorney general cited “complex questions” as the rationale for this decision. Yet the spotlight shifted away from the report itself toward Tudehope’s personal circumstances.

Compounding his difficulties, Tudehope revealed he had leaked a confidential parliamentary report to the Reformers, a conservative Liberal factional group. This disclosure has cast uncertainty over his position as shadow attorney general, particularly given that he is not among those named in ICAC’s allegations and has already stepped aside from his shadow cabinet responsibilities during the inquiry.

Additional Documents and the DPP Controversy

Wednesday brought further developments as the Liberals absorbed the impact of Tudehope’s testimony while ICAC heard evidence from Jean-Claude Perrottet, the younger brother of former Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet. The government seized the moment to release two additional documents at a press conference.

The first was the government’s response to the inquest into the Bondi Junction stabbings, submitted on the final day of a six-month period during which it could address recommendations under non-mandatory guidelines. Labor faced scrutiny regarding its “in principle” commitment to providing both short- and long-term accommodation for individuals experiencing mental health challenges and homelessness.

Daley dismissed suggestions that the government had attempted to conceal the Sackar report the previous day. “A few weeks ago we were getting criticised for not releasing the report. Now we’re getting criticised for releasing the report,” he remarked. “What day would have been better? Sunday be better?”

That same afternoon, Daley presented legal advice obtained following a committee report’s conclusion that Sally Dowling, the state’s director of public prosecutions, had provided false testimony under oath. The allegations centered on Dowling’s handling of a story concerning an Indigenous child who performed an acknowledgment of country during a sentencing hearing. While Dowling confirmed her office pitched the story to 2GB radio, she denied authorizing the action. The DPP has contested the committee’s findings.

The legal advice from former Bar Association president Noel Hutley SC offered Dowling considerable support. Hutley concluded there was no “positive basis” to dismiss her account or determine that she “gave false evidence.” He emphasized that “for such a serious finding to be substantiated, something more than mere disbelief of the director’s evidence was required.”

Broader Political Implications

The cumulative effect of these developments extends beyond individual cases. Kellie Sloane, the Liberal opposition leader, faces particular vulnerability as many of the alleged transgressions under investigation occurred when she was not yet an MP. This temporal disconnect could complicate her ability to distance herself from the controversies while simultaneously defending the party’s record.

The ICAC hearings continue to reshape the political landscape in New South Wales, with each document release and testimony potentially altering the trajectory of the inquiry. The government’s strategy of methodical disclosure, combined with its willingness to address contentious issues head-on, suggests a calculated approach to managing both the investigation and its political ramifications.

As the hearings progress, observers will watch closely to see whether the pattern of revelations continues to favor the Labor government or whether further developments may shift the balance. The coming weeks promise to be critical in determining how these proceedings ultimately influence the state’s political future.