Operation Dewar public notice

Thursday 7 November 2013

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating allegations that the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Commissioner, Murray Kear, took detrimental action against Deputy Commissioner Tara McCarthy, including dismissal from her position on 14 May 2013, in reprisal for Ms McCarthy making allegations to Mr Kear that SES Deputy Commissioner Steven Pearce had engaged in corrupt conduct.

The ICAC is also examining allegations that Mr Kear improperly showed favour to Mr Pearce by failing to appropriately investigate allegations made by Ms McCarthy that Mr Pearce had engaged in corruption. It is also alleged that in relation to the above allegations, Mr Kear made false statements or attempted to mislead an officer of the ICAC in their exercise of their functions under the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988.

As part of its investigation, the ICAC will hold a public inquiry starting at 10:00 am on Tuesday 3 December 2013 at Level 7, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.

Persons claiming to be substantially and directly interested in this matter may seek leave to be represented at the inquiry, and are invited to contact Mr Patrick Broad on (02) 8281-5999 to advise of their interest. Members of the public with information relevant to the investigation are encouraged to provide it in writing at GPO Box 500, Sydney, NSW 2001, or by facsimile (02) 9264-5364. The ICAC will treat all information confidentially and has legislative powers to protect people who provide information to the Commission.

Roy Waldon
Solicitor to the Commission