Australian Information Commissioner John McMillan has been appointed by the state government to complete NSW Ombudsman Bruce Barbour's investigation into a long-running police bugging scandal.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the announcement that Professor McMillan – a former Commonwealth ombudsman – will be "acting" NSW ombudsman for two years after Mr Barbour leaves on June 30 has drawn criticism.
Premier Mike Baird said the "acting" appointment was at Professor McMillan's request, and because he is aged 65.
A spokesman explained legislation prevented the appointment of an ombudsman aged 65 or over so the "acting" appointment secured Professor McMillan's services.
However, Labor's Adam Searle said while Professor McMillan was undoubtedly qualified, the office "will be going into essentially caretaker mode".
Mr Searle is a member of the parliamentary committee due to examine Mr Barbour's inquiry, Operation Prospect, in hearings on Friday.
He said the appointment was "a disaster" for the inquiry "because it means whatever recommendations and the person signing off on the report won't be the person who took the evidence".
Greens MP David Shoebridge said the acting appointment was "a Band-Aid solution" and despite Professor McMillan's qualifications the office needed "a long-term, permanent appointment".
Mr Barbour's Operation Prospect has been investigating for almost three years the scandal over a police bugging operation codenamed Mascot, which ran between 1999 and 2001 for almost three years.
Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas was bugged by Mascot, of which his fellow Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn was team leader.
The parliamentary inquiry was established after it emerged Mr Barbour would not seek reappointment, meaning his report will not be delivered until after he has left.
