Parliamentary Committee Suggests Investigation into Possible Removal of NSW Director of Public Prosecutions

議會委員會建議調查是否應撤換新南威爾斯州檢察處處長

Jul 7, 2026, 07:17
AustraliaPolitics

Introduction

A parliamentary committee in New South Wales has released a report claiming that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Sally Dowling SC, gave false evidence and allowed an illegal media leak. Consequently, the committee has recommended that she may need to be removed from her position.

新南威爾斯州的一個議會委員會發布了一份報告，聲稱檢察處處長 Sally Dowling SC 提供了虛假證詞，並允許了非法媒體洩密。因此，委員會建議她可能需要被撤職。

Main Body

The problem began in October 2024 when the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) gave information to radio station 2GB about a court hearing led by Judge Penelope Wass SC. The broadcast focused on the judge's decision to let a young Indigenous offender give an 'Acknowledgement of Country.' Judge Wass asserted that the leak was a planned attempt to damage her reputation during a professional disagreement over how sexual assault cases are handled. However, Ms. Dowling has consistently denied that she authorized the leak.

問題始於 2024 年 10 月，當時檢察處（ODPP）向 2GB 電台提供了關於 Penelope Wass SC 法官主導的一場法庭聆訊資訊。該報導聚焦於法官決定讓一名原住民年輕被告進行「承認國家（Acknowledgement of Country）」儀式。Wass 法官主張，在關於如何處理性侵害案件的專業分歧期間，這次洩密是一次計劃好的企圖，旨在損害她的聲譽。然而，Dowling 女士一直否認她授權了此次洩密。

There is clear tension between the institutions. The committee's findings suggest that Ms. Dowling was present at a meeting where the media plan was discussed, which contradicts her claim that she did not know about it until December 2025. Furthermore, the committee concluded that using the media in this way could intimidate people involved in the legal process. On the other hand, Attorney-General Michael Daley criticized the inquiry, calling it a 'stitch-up' and arguing that the committee ignored its original goal of protecting children's identities to target the DPP instead.

機構之間存在明顯的緊張關係。委員會的調查結果顯示，Dowling 女士出席過一個討論媒體計劃的會議，這與她聲稱直到 2025 年 12 月才知情相矛盾。此外，委員會得出結論，以這種方式利用媒體可能會恐嚇參與法律程序的人員。另一方面，總檢察長 Michael Daley 批評該調查是一場「陷阱」，並認為委員會無視保護兒童身分這一最初目標，轉而針對檢察處處長。

Opinions on the matter remain divided. A small majority of the committee supported the negative findings, whereas other members and the Attorney-General rejected them as being based on guesswork rather than evidence. Additionally, several other DPPs from across Australia wrote a letter supporting Ms. Dowling's professional integrity. As a result, the Attorney-General has asked the Crown Solicitor's Office to hire senior lawyers to conduct a full review of the report.

對此事的看法仍存在分歧。委員會僅以微弱多數支持這些負面調查結果，而其他成員與總檢察長則認為這些結果基於推測而非證據，因此予以否認。此外，澳洲其他地區的數名檢察處處長也致信支持 Dowling 女士的專業誠信。因此，總檢察長已要求皇家檢察官辦公室聘請高級律師，對該報告進行全面審查。

Conclusion

Currently, there is a deadlock between the committee's recommendation to remove the DPP and the Attorney-General's continued support for her, while they wait for the legal review of the report.

目前，委員會建議撤換檢察處處長，而總檢察長則繼續支持她，雙方陷入僵局，正等待報告的法律審查結果。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The Power of 'Contrast Connectors'

To move from A2 (basic sentences) to B2 (complex arguments), you must stop using 'but' for everything. This article uses sophisticated 'pivot words' that signal a shift in perspective.

The Logic Shift Look at how the text moves between opposing ideas:

  1. "However" →\rightarrow Used to introduce a contradiction.

    • A2 style: She says she didn't do it, but the committee says she did.
    • B2 style: Ms. Dowling denies the leak. However, the committee suggests she was present at the meeting.

  2. "On the other hand" →\rightarrow Used to present a completely different point of view (a 'counter-argument').

    • Example: The committee sees a crime; on the other hand, the Attorney-General sees a 'stitch-up'.

  3. "Whereas" →\rightarrow Used to compare two different groups in one sentence.

    • Example: Some members supported the findings, whereas others rejected them.

🛠️ Vocabulary Upgrade: 'Vague' →\rightarrow 'Precise'

B2 students replace simple verbs with precise professional verbs. Notice these shifts from the text:

A2 Simple VerbB2 Precise VerbWhy it's better
SayAssertIt shows the person is very confident/firm.
SayClaimIt suggests the statement might not be true yet.
ContradictDenySpecifically used for saying 'I did not do it'.

💡 Pro Tip: The 'Result' Chain

Instead of saying 'So...' at the start of every sentence, the article uses "Consequently" and "As a result."

  • The Formula: [Action] →\rightarrow Consequently, [Result].
  • Text Example: The report claims she gave false evidence. Consequently, the committee recommended her removal.

Try swapping 'so' for 'consequently' in your next writing piece to immediately sound more academic.

Vocabulary Learning

consequently (adv.)
As a result of something that has happened.
Example:The company lost a lot of money; consequently, they had to lay off several employees.
asserted (v.)
To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
Example:The witness asserted that he had seen the suspect leave the building at midnight.
consistently (adv.)
In a way that does not change; always behaving or happening in the same way.
Example:She has consistently performed well in all her exams this semester.
contradicts (v.)
To say the opposite of what someone else has said, or to be different from a previous statement.
Example:The witness's new testimony contradicts the statement he gave to the police last week.
intimidate (v.)
To frighten or threaten someone, especially in order to make them do what one wants.
Example:The gang tried to intimidate the witnesses so they would not testify in court.
integrity (n.)
The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
Example:The judge was respected by everyone because of his professional integrity.
deadlock (n.)
A situation where no progress can be made because two opposing sides cannot agree.
Example:The negotiations ended in a deadlock, as neither side was willing to compromise on the price.
Practice B2 words in a crossword→