ICAC public inquiry into allegations concerning the NSW State Emergency Service Commissioner

Thursday 7 November 2013

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will hold a public inquiry commencing on Tuesday 3 December 2013 as part of an investigation it is conducting into 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.

The public inquiry will start at 10:00 am and will be held in the Commission's hearing room at Level 7, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. ICAC Assistant Commissioner Theresa Hamilton will preside at the public inquiry, and Counsel Assisting the Commission will be Mr Michael Fordham SC and Mr Callan O'Neill.

The inquiry is expected to continue for up to two weeks.

Media contact: ICAC Manager Communications & Media, Nicole Thomas, 02 8281 5799 / 0417 467 801