US Edition‘Foolish Error’: NSW Labor Staffers Face Arrest After Defying Summons
NEW SOUTH WALES, JUN 20 – Five senior staffers refused to attend a parliamentary inquiry into an explosives-laden caravan, prompting possible arrest warrants as the probe intensifies government accountability concerns.
- Five senior government officials did not attend the Upper House inquiry on June 20, 2025, despite being ordered to do so, in connection with the investigation into a caravan rigged with explosives discovered in Sydney’s Dural suburb.
- The inquiry examines what information senior state officials had regarding the caravan discovered on January 19, which initially raised fears of a terrorist or mass-casualty incident but was later confirmed to be a hoax.
- Among the staffers who declined to appear was Edward Ovadia, the deputy chief of staff to Premier Minns, who stated in a letter that he should be excused as he was on leave and did not participate in relevant meetings; the letter also asserted that attending would conflict with principles of ministerial responsibility and parliamentary privilege.
- Independent MP Rod Roberts, leading the committee, called attendance for the five government staffers, challenged the validity of their excuses for not appearing, and warned that failure to comply could result in arrest, prompting the committee to request arrest warrants from Upper House president Ben Franklin.
- This development escalates the probe into the government's knowledge of the caravan plot and highlights tensions between the Upper House's oversight role and the government’s resistance to compelled staff testimony.
13 Articles
13 Articles
NSW Premier’s Staff Face Arrest for Refusing to Front Inquiry Into Hate Speech Laws · Caldron Pool
Chris Minns has triggered a nuclear response from the panel looking into his hasty hate speech legislation. Allegedly at the forefront of attempts to stop the Rod Roberts (IND) inquiry, the New South Wales Labor premier is refusing to allow staff to participate. As a result, “the inquiry has agreed to issue arrest warrants” just to get Labor staffers to show up, according to NSW Libertarian John Ruddick. The next step is getting the President of…
Five Senior NSW Government Staffers Could Be Arrested After No-Show at Explosives Inquiry
Five senior government staffers face possible arrest in a dramatic escalation of a probe examining officials’ knowledge about an explosive-laden caravan found on Sydney’s outskirts. The high-ranking staff in the offices of NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley failed to appear as summoned on June 20 at an upper house inquiry. Committee chair independent MP Rod Roberts conducted a roll call for the premier’s chief of staff, Ja…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
