2 weeks Ago By Sam McKeith
A bottle of custom-labelled gin styled to woo overseas colleagues was not an unusual gift from NSW's top cop and was one of many gratuities received from the force, the state's police minister says. Login or signup to continue reading The controversy surrounding the order of limited-edition "Commissioner's Gin" continued to dog police leadership on Friday, when minister Yasmin Catley was forced to defend the gratuity at a budget estimates hearing. "I didn't find it unusual," she said of the gin gift she received from Karen Webb.
The commissioner, who heads the nation's largest police force, earlier in August banned the practice of using taxpayers' money to purchase alcohol for gifts and hospitality after she came under fire for buying 50 bottles of gin. She was criticised for ordering the bottles of the custom-labelled spirit supplied by a friend after her appointment to the job in 2022. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission found Ms Webb should have disclosed her association with the supplier but said the purchase was in line with police policy and procedures.
Ms Webb said she did not know her office had approached her friend until after the 50 bottles had been ordered. Ms Catley told the hearing she did not remember when the gift was received and she did not consume the product, adding: "I put it on my shelf where it still sits." The gin was one of many different types of "merchandise", such as coins, books and memorabilia, she had received from state police, the minister said.
"I was given it, I assume as any minister would have been," she said, adding that she planned to leave it "right where it is". Queried about another 50 bottles of gin still in police possession, Ms Catley said Ms Webb had always been truthful and accurate with her about the order. The gin saga follows criticism of Ms Webb over her handling of an alleged double murder in Sydney in February involving a serving officer.
At the time, Ms Webb was accused of taking too long to front the public after the officer was charged, deflecting media scrutiny to her deputy and using flippant language to describe the incident. She has also drawn scrutiny for parting ways with four previous media heads in two years, after it was revealed the changes led to almost $700,000 in termination payments. Asked to identify key performance indicators for Ms Webb, Ms Catley pointed instead to ongoing staff shortages as the key issue hampering police work.
"We need more police, that's the bottom line," the minister said. Ms Webb told the hearing a review of stock showed 32 bottles of gin had been distributed as gifts or donated to charity. She conceded it cost a couple of thousand dollars to produce the bottles' labels, which featured an Indigenous design.
"The purpose of the original order of the gin was for international delegates who we want to showcase our culture (to), which includes Aboriginal art," Ms Webb said. Australian Associated Press DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.
WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered.
DAILY DURING PARALYMPICS Get the best news and analysis from the Paris Paralympic Games in a daily update. WEEKLY Every Sunday explore destinations, deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around Australia and the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here.
WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground.
Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. WEEKLY Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update.
TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over.
AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia.
Fresh daily!.
