Payne Haas: David Elliott, Mick Fuller slam Catharine Lumby defence

NSW’s top cop and Police Minister have heavily criticised the defence of league star Payne Haas made by an adviser to the NRL.

The NSW Police Commissioner and Police Minister have both moved to slam the defence of Broncos prop Payne Haas made by a gender adviser to the NRL.

Haas escaped conviction on Thursday after pleading guilty to two counts of intimidating police during a confrontation at Tweed Heads last month. Court documents revealed Haas, who was with his pregnant partner, told a female officer, “Cause you’re a woman you think I won’t touch ya.”

Payne Haas during State of Origin game two. Picture: Brett Costello

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Monday, NRL adviser Dr Catharine Lumby said Haas should not be suspended from the league for the drunken outburst, despite pleading guilty.

“People from some cultural backgrounds have sometimes had a history of distrust of the police which involves members of their family and their community and it can influence the way that they respond to police authority,” she said.

But Commissioner Mick Fuller toady slammed the remarks and offered a warning to would-be offenders of all backgrounds.

Catharine Lumby

“I think it’s a shocker of a comment,” Comm Fuller said.

“We won’t be worried about culture, we won’t be worried about gender,” he said.

“If you break the law in NSW, you will be punished.”

Police Minister David Elliott called Haas’ behaviour a “terrible example” and said the NRL’s decision not to punish him further was “an insult” to the state’s police force.

“The decision by the NRL not to suspend, or indeed expel, Payne Haas from their ranks after his verbal assault and threatening behaviour against both male and female police officers sets a terrible example for our youth,” Mr Elliot wrote.

“And is an insult to the 17,000 NSW Police Officers who have been to hell and back for the people of NSW over the last 18 months.”

Mr Elliott called the NRL’s decision “breathtaking hypocrisy” and warned it could “seriously damage” relations between the league and the force.

David Elliot said a decision not to suspend Haas was an “insult” to police. Picture: Christian Gilles

The Police Commissioner also condemned remarks made by Dr Lumby. Picture: Damian Shaw

“Given the high expectations placed on NRL players, this breathtaking hypocrisy from certain Rugby League Administrators has the potential to seriously damage the century old relationship between the police and the League,” Mr Elliott wrote.

“I seriously hope the NRL reverses this injustice before permanent damage is done. It’s a matter of mutual respect.”

NRL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Abdo later revealed the NRL will be “taking the appropriate action” in disciplining Haas.

“There’s no excuse for Payne’s conduct. It’s fair to say he’ll be facing sanctions.”