By Susann Kovacs
The objectivity and impartiality of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Queensland had been thrown into question, Independent member for Nicklin Peter Wellington said last week (for background, see accompanying stories: Public Officials Can Still Be Charged and Politicians and The Rule of Law).
Mr Wellington said the Office of the DPP had showed “inconsistency in dealing with what appear to be similar circumstances” and its conflicting legal advice had cast doubt on its credibility and core principle of impartiality.
He said the office was “supposed to be at arms-length from the government” but the accuracy of the advice the government had received was now questionable.
Mr Wellington said it was an “issue of concern” that the Office of DPP did not take any action over the Heiner shredding, as it now appeared there may have been grounds to do so.
He said it was a problem the evidence was destroyed in the first place.
Mr Wellington said he believed the law should apply to government officials and to other members of the community equally.
