New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Sally Dowling has confirmed that she consulted with the state’s Attorney General regarding the selection of a barrister to lead an independent review into her office. The review was commissioned following a 4-3 vote by a state parliamentary committee, which concluded that Dowling had provided false evidence to the committee. The dispute centers on testimony regarding how information about an Indigenous child’s acknowledgement of country at a sentencing hearing was pitched to the radio station 2GB.

During estimates hearings, it was revealed that the Attorney General ultimately appointed a barrister to lead the review who has a professional and social relationship with Dowling spanning nearly 30 years. While the appointment process has drawn scrutiny, the DPP maintains that the discussion regarding potential reviewers was part of the standard administrative process. The parliamentary committee’s finding of false evidence remains a central point of contention, as Dowling has faced pressure to address the allegations surrounding the media leak. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the oversight committee and the office of the DPP, specifically regarding the transparency of internal investigations and the independence of those tasked with reviewing the prosecutor's conduct.