The New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Sally Dowling SC, has been at the center of a parliamentary inquiry that concluded she provided false evidence to parliament and authorized a controversial media pitch, raising questions about whether she should be removed from office. The inquiry, conducted by an Upper House committee, released its report on Tuesday, sharply criticizing Ms. Dowling’s conduct and recommending the Attorney-General consider a formal inquiry into her potential removal.

The controversy stems from an incident involving a media story pitched to Sydney radio station 2GB, which disclosed that Judge Penelope Wass had invited an underage Indigenous offender to perform an acknowledgment of country during sentencing for violent crimes. The story, which also included the name of the young offender, was allegedly authorized by Ms. Dowling. The committee found that this action was retaliatory, occurring amid a public dispute between Ms. Dowling and Judge Wass, who had previously criticized the DPP’s office.

Despite the committee’s findings that Ms. Dowling “surreptitiously authorized” the pitching of the story and then “falsely denied having done so,” Ms. Dowling has consistently denied authorizing the broadcast. NSW Police investigated the matter and concluded no criminal offenses were committed.

The inquiry’s report drew sharp language, characterizing Ms. Dowling’s conduct as sufficiently serious to potentially justify her removal from office. However, opinions within the committee were divided. Labor MPs Cameron Murphy and Bob Nanva dissented from the chair’s report, citing a lack of evidence to substantiate the findings. Greens MP Sue Higginson issued a separate dissenting report, stating that there was no evidence to prove that Ms. Dowling gave false evidence. Conversely, Labor MP Stephen Lawrence voiced strong criticism of Ms. Dowling, endorsing the report’s harsh conclusions.

In the days leading up to the report’s release, attorneys-general from across Australia publicly supported Ms. Dowling. New South Wales Attorney-General Michael Daley labeled the report a “stitch-up” and called it the “worst” he had seen from a parliamentary committee in two decades. Mr. Daley has instructed senior government lawyers to review the committee’s findings and was reportedly lobbying MPs against an adverse finding. An ODPP spokesman welcomed the Attorney-General’s unequivocal rejection of the report, emphasizing the office’s appreciation for Mr. Daley’s confidence in Ms. Dowling.

Adding to the turmoil, the ODPP has recently been embroiled in a separate scandal involving solicitor Vanessa O’Bryan, who faces charges related to alleged intimate relationships with inmates and unauthorized access to confidential files. This case remains before the courts.

The police union also expressed support for Ms. Dowling, criticizing the parliamentary inquiry’s conclusions and underscoring the polarizing nature of the ongoing dispute within the legal and political spheres surrounding the ODPP.