DPP underspending ICAC fund

THE NSW Director of Public Prosecutions appears not to have spent extra money he was given to prosecute corrupt politicians.

THE NSW Director of Public Prosecutions appears not to have spent extra money he was given to prosecute corrupt politicians.

Financial statements show despite the state government allocating an extra $2 million for prosecutions referred by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the DPP underspent. NSW budget papers show it received $115m last financial year but spent $112.9m.

Former premier Barry O’Farrell allocated the DPP extra money last year, noting concerns about the time it took to prosecute people following ICAC inquiries. He said he had talked to DPP Lloyd Babb SC about setting up a specialist unit to run ICAC prosecutions.

ALP kingpin Eddie Obeid has dared the DPP to charge him, but despite four corruption findings against him there has been no action. It is believed the DPP has engaged a barrister to examine the brief of evidence.

The DPP’s annual report says it completes requests for advice on the laying of charges within six to 12 months, but it took 20 months to decide not to prosecute former Labor minister Tony Kelly after he was found corrupt for his involvement in backdating a letter enabling the purchase of the former union property Currawong.

This year, the DPP has received $3.6m extra for ICAC prosecutions and the opposition has suggested a special prosecutor be appointed to handle referrals.

A spokeswoman for Attorney-General Brad Hazzard said he was working with the DPP, police and ICAC to ensure processes and resources were in place “so that briefs of evidence are presented by ICAC to the Director of Public Prosecutions, within appropriate timeframes”.