A fair go for the DPP

21/03/2011

Attorney General John Hatzistergos has written a letter to the editor of the _Sydney Morning Herald _in response to an article by Richard Ackland on Friday, 18 March.� The text of that letter is reproduced below:

Richard Ackland takes the view that my mention of Nicholas Cowdery in a release announcing the appointment of an acting Director of Public Prosecutions was an ''icy farewell" (''Hatzistergos assails the prosecutor and Cowdery sails into sunset'', March 18). Perhaps he has overlooked the other statements I have made, most recently at the new DPP premises at Parramatta which I opened with the name Cowdery House. Perhaps he missed the DPP's most recent annual report, where Mr Cowdery gives thanks for the statements I have made about his service.

Just as he must have missed the number of occasions that I have appointed Mr Cowdery to government advisory bodies.

The fact is that legislation governing Mr Cowdery's appointment remained the same throughout his appointment. The new arrangements that took effect did not apply to incumbents favourably or unfavourably. The acting position was a new appointment and governed by the principle that the director should not be eligible for reappointment.

On this issue Mr Ackland would excuse me for preferring the Solicitor General's advice to his own.

John Hatzistergos NSW Attorney General

**21 March 2011 **