http://www.icac.nsw.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/article/4465

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (ICAC) public inquiry into allegations concerning the State Emergency Service (SES) Commissioner will commence tomorrow, Tuesday 3 December 2013, at 10:00 am.

The ICAC is examining allegations that SES Commissioner Murray Kear took detrimental action against Deputy Commissioner Tara McCarthy, including dismissal from her position on 14 May 2013, in reprisal for Ms McCarthy making allegations to Mr Kear that SES Deputy Commissioner Steven Pearce had engaged in corrupt conduct.

The ICAC is also examining allegations that Mr Kear improperly showed favour to Mr Pearce by failing to appropriately investigate allegations made by Ms McCarthy that Mr Pearce had engaged in corruption. It is also alleged that in relation to the above allegations, Mr Kear made false statements or attempted to mislead an officer of the ICAC in their exercise of their functions under the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988.

The public inquiry will start at 10:00 am and will be held in the Commission’s hearing room at Level 7, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. ICAC Commissioner the Hon David Ipp AO QC will now preside at the public inquiry, and Counsel Assisting the Commission will be Mr Michael Fordham SC and Mr Callan O’Neill. The inquiry is expected to continue for up to two weeks.

Time:		9:30 am – short media briefing
		10:00 am – inquiry commences
Date:		Tuesday 3 December 2013
Location:		ICAC Hearing Room
		Level 7, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney

A short media briefing will be held from 9:30 am on procedural and logistical matters. A witness list for the first week of the public inquiry is attached. Please note that this list is subject to change.