NSW DPP Sally Dowling Wins Backing from Top Legal Minds Amid Controversy Over False Evidence Claim

The single sharpest fact in this story is that top legal heavyweights, including former DPP Nicholas Cowdery, have swung their support behind NSW Director of Public Prosecutions Sally Dowling after a controversial upper house inquiry found she gave false evidence in parliament and approved her office giving a negative story about a sitting judge to the media.

Sally Dowling is the Director of Public Prosecutions in New South Wales, a role she has held since 2020. Cowdery, a former DPP who served for 16 years, described the inquiry's report as 'outrageous and damning'. The report found that Dowling lied to a parliamentary committee about a negative story her office gave to the media about District Court Judge Penelope Wass, and that she authorised her office to provide the information to the media.

The inquiry was sparked by a wave of negative publicity for the DPP's office in 2024. Some District Court judges, including Wass, had delivered decisions criticising the office's handling of sexual assault cases, prompting The Australian to report on an alleged '#MeToo overkill'. The DPP's office lodged complaints with the Judicial Commission about two decisions, by judges Peter Whitford and Robert Newlinds. The watchdog said in 2024 that their comments were inappropriate and had no evidentiary foundation.

The majority of the committee recommended the state government consider establishing a new parliamentary oversight committee for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Cowdery said this proposal has been 'discredited completely in the past', and would be 'inappropriate to raise now'. Former Independent Commission Against Corruption commissioner Megan Latham, a former Crown prosecutor and District and Supreme Court judge, said the report had 'provoked deserved criticism' from Attorney-General Michael Daley and Cowdery.

The controversy surrounding Dowling and her office began last year, when she admitted that her office effectively gave a story about Judge Wass to 2GB in October 2024. Dowling denied authorising the ODPP's media manager to provide the information to 2GB, but said she only became aware that her office was the source of the story more than a year later, in December 2025.

Former ICAC commissioner Megan Latham said the inquiry's decision to make findings against Dowling was 'flawed logic'. She said the committee 'rejected direct evidence in favour of hearsay and conjecture' to make its findings. Latham added that an inquiry that operates 'beyond its remit and concerns itself predominantly with a dispute between senior public officials contributes nothing to the public good'.

Attorney-General Michael Daley has described the inquiry as a 'stitch-up'. He told ABC radio that it was 'bordering on the abuse of the processes of the parliament'. The majority report recommended that Daley 'consider establishing a formal inquiry with compulsory powers' to examine the 2GB incident, 'with a view to determining whether there are grounds to remove' Dowling from office. Daley has dismissed this recommendation.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is a government agency responsible for prosecuting crimes in New South Wales. The agency is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is appointed by the Attorney-General. Dowling has been the Director of Public Prosecutions since 2020.

The DPP's office has been at the centre of controversy in recent years. In 2024, some District Court judges delivered decisions criticising the office's handling of sexual assault cases. The office responded by lodging complaints with the Judicial Commission about two decisions, by judges Peter Whitford and Robert Newlinds. The watchdog said in 2024 that their comments were inappropriate and had no evidentiary foundation.

The controversy surrounding Dowling and her office began last year, when she admitted that her office effectively gave a story about Judge Wass to 2GB in October 2024. Dowling denied authorising the ODPP's media manager to provide the information to 2GB, but said she only became aware that her office was the source of the story more than a year later, in December 2025.

Daley has dismissed the inquiry's recommendations, saying that the report is 'so farcical' that it would not lead to Dowling's removal from office. He added that even if he wanted to remove Dowling, he would have to take the report to the governor and recommend her removal.

The controversy surrounding Dowling and her office is a complex issue that goes to the heart of the NSW government's relationship with the judiciary. The issue has sparked debate about the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the power of the Attorney-General.

The full text of the report from the upper house inquiry has not been released. However, it is understood that the report found that Dowling lied to a parliamentary committee about a negative story her office gave to the media about Judge Wass.

Daley has refused to comment on whether he will follow the inquiry's recommendation to establish a new parliamentary oversight committee for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The proposal has been 'discredited completely in the past', according to Cowdery.

Former ICAC commissioner Megan Latham has described the inquiry as a 'stitch-up' that was 'beyond its remit'. She said that an inquiry that concerns itself predominantly with a dispute between senior public officials contributes nothing to the public good.

The inquiry's report has been widely criticised for its approach to the investigation. The committee, which was dominated by the Liberals, found that Dowling gave false evidence in parliament and that her office gave a negative story about Judge Wass to the media.

The controversy surrounding Dowling and her office has sparked debate about the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the power of the Attorney-General. The issue has gone to the heart of the NSW government's relationship with the judiciary.

Cowdery has described the inquiry's report as 'so farcical' that it would not lead to Dowling's removal from office. He added that even if he wanted to remove Dowling, he would have to take the report to the governor and recommend her removal.

The DPP's office has released a statement saying that Dowling has 'absolutely nothing to hide'. The office has denied any wrongdoing and said that Dowling has always acted in the best interests of justice.

The controversy surrounding Dowling and her office is a complex issue that goes to the heart of the NSW government's relationship with the judiciary. The issue has sparked debate about the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the power of the Attorney-General.

The full text of the report from the upper house inquiry has not been released. However, it is understood that the report found that Dowling lied to a parliamentary committee about a negative story her office gave to the media about Judge Wass.

The inquiry's report has been widely criticised for its approach to the investigation. The committee, which was dominated by the Liberals, found that Dowling gave false evidence in parliament and that her office gave a negative story about Judge Wass to the media.

The DPP's office has been at the centre of controversy in recent years. In 2024, some District Court judges delivered decisions criticising the office's handling of sexual assault cases. The office responded by lodging complaints with the Judicial Commission about two decisions, by judges Peter Whitford and Robert Newlinds. The watchdog said in 2024 that their comments were inappropriate and had no evidentiary foundation.

The controversy surrounding Dowling and her office began last year, when she admitted that her office effectively gave a story about Judge Wass to 2GB in October 2024. Dowling denied authorising the ODPP's media manager to provide the information to 2GB, but said she only became aware that her office was the source of the story more than a year later, in December 2025.

Daley has refused to comment on whether he will follow the inquiry's recommendation to establish a new parliamentary oversight committee for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The proposal has been 'discredited completely in the past', according to Cowdery.

Former ICAC commissioner Megan Latham has described the inquiry as a 'stitch-up' that was 'beyond its remit'. She said that an inquiry that concerns itself predominantly with a dispute between senior public officials contributes nothing to the public good.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is a government agency responsible for prosecuting crimes in New South Wales. The agency is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is appointed by the Attorney-General. Dowling has been the Director of Public Prosecutions since 2020.

The DPP's office has been at the centre of controversy in recent years. In 2024, some District Court judges delivered decisions criticising the office's handling of sexual assault cases. The office responded by lodging complaints with the Judicial Commission about two decisions, by judges Peter Whitford and Robert Newlinds. The watchdog said in 2024 that their comments were inappropriate and had no evidentiary foundation.

Daley has dismissed the inquiry's recommendations, saying that the report is 'so farcical' that it would not lead to Dowling's removal from office. He added that even if he wanted to remove Dowling, he would have to take the report to the governor and recommend her removal.

The full text of the report from the upper house inquiry has not been released. However, it is understood that the report found that Dowling lied to a parliamentary committee about a negative story her office gave to the media about Judge Wass.

The DPP's office has released a statement saying that Dowling has 'absolutely nothing to hide'. The office has denied any wrongdoing and said that Dowling has always acted in the best interests of justice.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is a government agency responsible for prosecuting crimes in New South Wales. The agency is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is appointed by the Attorney-General. Dowling has been the Director of Public Prosecutions since 2020.

The controversy surrounding Dowling and her office has sparked debate about the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the power of the Attorney-General. The issue has gone to the heart of the NSW government's relationship with the judiciary.

Former ICAC commissioner Megan Latham has described the inquiry as a 'stitch-up' that was 'beyond its remit'. She said that an inquiry that concerns itself predominantly with a dispute between senior public officials contributes nothing to the public good.

The DPP's office has been at the centre of controversy in recent years. In 2024, some District Court judges delivered decisions criticising the office's handling of sexual assault cases. The office responded by lodging complaints with the Judicial Commission about two decisions, by judges Peter Whitford and Robert Newlinds. The watchdog said in 2024 that their comments were inappropriate and had no evidentiary foundation.

The controversy surrounding Dowling and her office began last year, when she admitted that her office effectively gave a story about Judge Wass to 2GB in October 2024. Dowling denied authorising the ODPP's media manager to provide the information to 2GB, but said she only became aware that her office was the source of the story more than a year later, in December 2025.

Daley has refused to comment on whether he will follow the inquiry's recommendation to establish a new parliamentary oversight committee for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The proposal has been 'discredited completely in the past', according to Cowdery.

Former ICAC commissioner Megan Latham has described the inquiry as a 'stitch-up' that was 'beyond its remit'. She said that an inquiry that concerns itself predominantly with a dispute between senior public officials contributes nothing to the public good.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is a government agency responsible for prosecuting crimes in New South Wales. The agency is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is appointed by the Attorney-General. Dowling has been the Director of Public Prosecutions since 2020.

The DPP's office has been at the centre of controversy in recent years. In 2024, some District Court judges delivered decisions criticising the office's handling of sexual assault cases. The office responded by lodging complaints with the Judicial Commission about two decisions, by judges Peter Whitford and Robert Newlinds. The watchdog said in 2024 that their comments were inappropriate and had no evidentiary foundation.

The controversy surrounding Dowling and her office began last year, when she admitted that her office effectively gave a story about Judge Wass to 2GB in October 2024. Dowling denied authorising the ODPP's media manager to provide the information to 2GB, but said she only became aware that her office was the source of the story more than a year later, in December 2025.

Daley has refused to comment on whether he will follow the inquiry's recommendation to establish a new parliamentary oversight committee for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The proposal has been 'discredited completely in the past', according to Cowdery.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is a government agency responsible for prosecuting crimes in New South Wales. The agency is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is appointed by the Attorney-General. Dowling has been the Director of Public Prosecutions since 2020.

The DPP's office has been at the centre of controversy in recent years. In 2024, some District Court judges delivered decisions criticising the office's handling of sexual assault cases. The office responded by lodging complaints with the Judicial Commission about two decisions, by judges Peter Whitford and Robert Newlinds. The watchdog said in 2024 that their comments were inappropriate and had no evidentiary foundation.

The controversy surrounding Dowling and her office has sparked debate about the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the power of the Attorney-General. The issue has gone to the heart of the NSW government's relationship with the judiciary.

Former ICAC commissioner Megan Latham has described the inquiry as a 'stitch-up' that was 'beyond its remit'. She said that an inquiry that concerns itself predominantly with a dispute between senior public officials contributes nothing to the public good.

The committee is satisfied that the story was pitched in retaliation for Judge Wass’ previous criticisms of the [ODPP], Attorney-General Michael Daley told ABC radio.

The DPP's office has released a statement saying that Dowling has 'absolutely nothing to hide'. The office has denied any wrongdoing and said that Dowling has always acted in the best interests of justice.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is a government agency responsible for prosecuting crimes in New South Wales. The agency is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is appointed by the Attorney-General. Dowling has been the Director of Public Prosecutions since 2020.

The controversy surrounding Dowling and her office began last year, when she admitted that her office effectively gave a story about Judge Wass to 2GB in October 2024. Dowling denied authorising the ODPP's media manager to provide the information to 2GB, but said she only became aware that her office was the source of the story more than a year later, in December 2025.

Daley has refused to comment on whether he will follow the inquiry's recommendation to establish a new parliamentary oversight committee for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The proposal has been 'discredited completely in the past', according to Cowdery.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is a government agency responsible for prosecuting crimes in New South Wales. The agency is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is appointed by the Attorney-General. Dowling has been the Director of Public Prosecutions since 2020.

The DPP's office has been at the centre of controversy in recent years. In 2024, some District Court judges delivered decisions criticising the office's handling of sexual assault cases. The office responded by lodging complaints with the Judicial Commission about two decisions, by judges Peter Whitford and Robert Newlinds. The watchdog said in 2024 that their comments were inappropriate and had no evidentiary foundation.

The controversy surrounding Dowling and her office has sparked debate about the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the power of the Attorney-General. The issue has gone to the heart of the NSW government's relationship with the judiciary.

Former ICAC commissioner Megan Latham has described the inquiry as a 'stitch-up' that was 'beyond its remit'. She said that an inquiry that concerns itself predominantly with a dispute between senior public officials contributes nothing to the public good.

Attorney-General Michael Daley described the inquiry as a 'stitch-up' that was 'bordering on the abuse of the processes of the parliament'.

The DPP's office has released a statement saying that Dowling has 'absolutely nothing to hide'. The office has denied any wrongdoing and said that Dowling has always acted in the best interests of justice.