New lawyers for NSW Labor used to employ acting secretary Pat Garcia
The acting secretary of NSW Labor — who was previously employed as a solicitor — has agreed to hire his old law firm to act for the party sparking the ire of multiple ALP MPs who want greater transparency in the wake of a corruption investigation.
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The acting secretary of NSW Labor — who was previously employed as a solicitor — has agreed to hire his old law firm to act for the party.
The move has concerned multiple ALP MPs who have called for greater transparency in the wake of a corruption investigation.
Former Labor lawyers Holding Redlich were dumped last month after the party discovered one of the firm’s solicitors would be hauled into the ICAC to give evidence concerning a donations scandal.
The firm was replaced by Johnson Winter & Slattery, which previously employed acting NSW Labor secretary Pat Garcia.
“The reality of the unique situation was that the party had no choice but find new and trusted legal representatives literally overnight,” a Labor spokeswoman said.
“The firm in question was recommended by senior counsel and unanimously endorsed by party officers. Johnson Winter & Slattery are employed to provide assistance to the party during the inquiry.”
It’s understood Mr Garcia declared he had worked for JWS before the firm signed on.
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But Labor MPs say it represents a worrying “pattern of behaviour” where officials act without understanding the increased scrutiny on party processes.
“They don’t understand how this looks and the environment we’re operating in,” one MP said.
“Our procedures while always rigorous must be beyond reproach at the moment.”
Another MP said: “It’s just true to form in terms of the way they operate in there. Parliamentarians are required to follow process and act to the highest standard but no one is watching over head office.”
A third MP said it was “imperative to have proper processes” given long-term members are “walking out of the party over ICAC”. Mr Garcia was appointed acting general secretary of the party last month following the suspension of Kaila Murnain.
The Daily Telegraph can also reveal officials buried news of Ms Murnain’s suspension in this month’s “political briefing” to ALP members where it was listed as the eighth most-pressing item on the agenda. Ms Murnain revealed she knew about an allegedly illegal $100,000 donation to the party in 2016. She also said lawyer Ian Robertson suggested she should keep quiet about the matter.
Mr Robertson has denied Ms Murnain’s claim.