Fed: Retiring DPP names Hatzistergos, Carr as worst offenders

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2010
Fed: Retiring DPP names Hatzistergos, Carr as worst offenders

CANBERRA, April 21 AAP - NSW's top prosecutor has named Attorney-General John Hatzistergos
the most interventionist of his tenure, and former premier Bob Carr most prone to politicising
law and order.

Nicholas Cowdery will retire next March after 16 years in the job, a period in which
he fought running battles with government over his budget and tough stance on human rights.

The 64-year-old on Wednesday told ABC's Lateline program the first three attorneys-general
he answered to were, "very reasonable and moderate", while Mr Hatzistergos was more interventionist
and "hands on".

"That has been a challenge because it has required us to attend to tasks and report
to the attorney-general in ways that were not previously required," Mr Cowdery said. "That
put added strain on the office."

Mr Cowdery also criticised Mr Hatzistergos for being too media driven, particularly
in his efforts to make it harder to get bail - increasing the number of people in remand
who will ultimately be released without compensation for having been in custody.

"These amendments to the legislation have usually followed some sort of tabloid outburst,"

he said.

Of the premiers he had worked under, Mr Cowdery said Bob Carr was the most likely to
use law and order for political gain, particularly at elections.

"Bob Carr was pretty good at it," he said.

AAP gd/jfm

KEYWORD: COWDERY

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