Police commissioner bans purchase of alcohol for gifts, hospitality
Embattled NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has axed the practice of using taxpayers’ money to buy alcohol for gifts and hospitality after she became engulfed in controversy for purchasing 50 bottles of gin.
Webb called Police Minister Yasmin Catley on Thursday morning to inform her that she had scrapped the policy, which she inherited from her predecessor Mick Fuller, effective immediately.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb is under intense pressure over purchasing 50 bottles of gin. Credit: James Brickwood
The commissioner has been under intense pressure since it was revealed in parliament that she had bought 50 bottles of personalised gin, known as Commissioner’s Gin, since taking the top job.
An anonymous complaint was lodged with the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) in October last year into whether the gin purchases constituted a conflict of interest.
The LECC cleared her of any serious misconduct and said it was also “satisfied that the purchase was in accordance with policies and procedures”. However, it found that “Commissioner Webb should have disclosed her association with the supplier when she became aware of the purchase of Commissioner’s Gin”.
Webb ordered the gin from Pokolbin winery and distillery Hope Estate, which was the same supplier used by Fuller. However, the commissioner did not declare she had a years-long friendship with the owner, Michael Hope.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley and Police Commissioner Karen Webb.Credit: Sydney Morning Herald
Her office placed an order for 50 bottles, at $85 each, on November 10, 2022, when former Coalition police minister Paul Toole was in cabinet.
Fuller, who bought shiraz from Hope Estate when he was commissioner, put an order in for 48 bottles, at $80 each, on March 22, 2021. He placed an order for 12 bottles, worth $82 each, on November 3, 2021, according to sources who have seen the invoices.
Fuller stepped down as commissioner in January 2022.
On Tuesday, independent upper house MP and former police officer Rod Roberts told parliament he would seek an order for documents relating to Webb’s alcohol purchases.
NSW upper house MP Rod Roberts was a one-time police officer.
He also alleged under parliamentary privilege that Webb’s purchase of bottles of gin had not been for visiting dignitaries, as she’d claimed, but for use by herself and staff. Roberts said his information was from “very good informants”.
However, Webb immediately shot back and in a statement on Wednesday evening, she said the comments made under parliamentary privilege were “completely false”.
“I invite public scrutiny as it is an important part of being NSW Police Commissioner, but these comments are solely intended to damage my personal reputation and have no basis in fact,” she said. “The 50 bottles were purchased in accordance with policies and procedures as outlined by LECC.”
Catley also confirmed on Wednesday that the issues raised by Roberts had been referred to the LECC, but the minister has repeatedly defended Webb, insisting that giving alcohol as a gift “really does seem like quite an ordinary gift to me.”
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