NSW Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell and Shadow Attorney General Greg Smith SC said today the independence of the prosecutors in the Department of Public Prosecutions must be maintained. 

The work undertaken by the state’s prosecutors is too important to allow cut-price justice and the cutting of corners.

“For the sake of the victims and their families, the state’s prosecution lawyers must be at least as good as the best defence lawyers,” Mr O’Farrell said.

“The Iemma Government is once again trying to dumb down the criminal justice system,” he said.

“A failure to have the best prosecutors available could lead to criminals escaping conviction and imprisonment and to increased costs due to retrials and appeals."

“This outcome will only add to the heartache of victims and their families."

“The NSW Liberal/Nationals will support the introduction of performance measures within the DPP.

“Our only issue is why the Iemma Government isn’t as vigorously insisting on similar performance targets across other government agencies including hospitals.”

Mr Smith said it makes sense to leave the prosecutors to run the cases and have a specialist manager oversee the finances.

“But this new position shouldn’t be used by the Attorney General to interfere with decisions by DPP officers relating to prosecutions and other legal issues,” Mr Smith said.

“For example, a financial manager should not decide the allocation of cases and the level of the seniority of the prosecutors.

“The Auditor General’s report again confirmed by and large the state’s prosecutors do a very good job and deserve the thanks and support of the Attorney General, rather than his constant criticism."