Latest news with #Commissioner'sGin
The Age
06-08-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Mark Latham escapes condemnation over behaviour in parliament, at least for now
Rogue MP Mark Latham has escaped attempts by the NSW government to condemn his behaviour in parliament after he was accused of abusing parliamentary privilege to reveal secret information. Labor's leader in the upper house, Penny Sharpe, moved to condemn Latham, arguing he revealed contents of a Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) report which was under a non-publication order, and shared medical information relating to MP Alex Greenwich, which the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal intended to be kept confidential. 'The Honourable Mark Latham, MLC, has done and said things that challenge the work we all do to better the culture of this place, and he has abused the privileges and immunities that we hold,' Sharpe said. The LECC report on Operation Askern detailed an investigation into the Commissioner's Gin scandal, after then-police commissioner Karen Webb used public funds to purchase alcohol from a distillery owned by one of her friends to be used as gifts. The contents of the report were made available to MPs with an order preventing its contents from being released to the public. The government failed to get the support needed to pass the motion condemning Latham, instead the Coalition and the Greens voted to delay the debate until October. The house agreed to refer Latham to the powerful privileges committee first. The committee will also look into the conduct of Latham and other members towards MPs and staff and the progress parliament is making towards a safer workplace culture, after it was revealed through leaked messages that Latham had taken secret photographs of female MPs while in the chamber. Loading Liberal Susan Carter, the subject of one of the photographs, said she would not support a motion condemning Latham until the committee had reported back. Latham used the fiery debate to rehash grievances he has against his political nemesis Greenwich, as well as Webb, Labor MPs and the media.
Sydney Morning Herald
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Mark Latham escapes condemnation over behaviour in parliament, at least for now
Rogue MP Mark Latham has escaped attempts by the NSW government to condemn his behaviour in parliament after he was accused of abusing parliamentary privilege to reveal secret information. Labor's leader in the upper house, Penny Sharpe, moved to condemn Latham, arguing he revealed contents of a Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) report which was under a non-publication order, and shared medical information relating to MP Alex Greenwich, which the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal intended to be kept confidential. 'The Honourable Mark Latham, MLC, has done and said things that challenge the work we all do to better the culture of this place, and he has abused the privileges and immunities that we hold,' Sharpe said. The LECC report on Operation Askern detailed an investigation into the Commissioner's Gin scandal, after then-police commissioner Karen Webb used public funds to purchase alcohol from a distillery owned by one of her friends to be used as gifts. The contents of the report were made available to MPs with an order preventing its contents from being released to the public. The government failed to get the support needed to pass the motion condemning Latham, instead the Coalition and the Greens voted to delay the debate until October. The house agreed to refer Latham to the powerful privileges committee first. The committee will also look into the conduct of Latham and other members towards MPs and staff and the progress parliament is making towards a safer workplace culture, after it was revealed through leaked messages that Latham had taken secret photographs of female MPs while in the chamber. Loading Liberal Susan Carter, the subject of one of the photographs, said she would not support a motion condemning Latham until the committee had reported back. Latham used the fiery debate to rehash grievances he has against his political nemesis Greenwich, as well as Webb, Labor MPs and the media.
7NEWS
07-05-2025
- Politics
- 7NEWS
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb reportedly about to resign
NSW's top cop is set to resign, according to media reports on Wednesday. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb will leave the role within weeks, The Daily Telegraph reports. Police Minister Yasmin Catley is due to confirm the resignation in state parliament on Wednesday, the outlet said. Webb is said to be finishing up on May 18. It comes after a three-year stint in the job, and only months after Webb dismissed claims she was gunning to retire early. Webb's time as Commissioner has not been free from controversy. She has been criticised over a number of statements, including her refusal to watch bodycam footage of a police officer tasering 95-year-old aged care home resident Clare Nowland, who died after the incident. Webb was also accused of taking too long to front the public after former senior constable Beau Lamarre-Condon was charged with murdering Luke Davies and his boyfriend Jesse Baird. She was also accused of using flippant language when she said the alleged murders were a 'crime of passion'. The Commissioner even battled backlash over a Taylor Swift reference while fending off critics during an appearance on Sunrise. 'There will always be haters. Haters like to hate. Isn't that what Taylor says?' she said at the time. Swift memes were circulating among police officers soon after, and Upper House MP Rod Roberts argued the pop star's lyrics should not have been used during such a serious investigation. 'I invite public scrutiny as it is an important part of being NSW Police Commissioner,' Webb said in August last year. But she said some of the comments against her have gone too far, including claims made during an investigation into the purchase of bottles of gin. Roberts alleged Webb used parliamentary privilege to gain free gin for herself and her staff to consume themselves. The gin purchase, which Webb said was to be distributed as gifts or donated for charity purposes, was later found by the watchdog to have been in accordance with policies and procedures. Webb said she had never tasted the Commissioner's Gin and said Roberts' comments were 'intended to damage my personal reputation'. NSW Police would not comment on reports of Webb's resignation.
