Extensive media coverage has suggested that Mr [Shaoquett] Moselmane was a suspect in serious criminality. This was incorrect. The committee does not form a view on the propriety or otherwise of the conduct of the AFP or sections of the media. However, in these circumstances, the committee urges the AFP to ensure sufficient resources are allocated to now resolve the matter speedily. Justice delayed is justice denied.

Extract from the Legislative Council, Privileges Committee, New South Wales Parliament, Report no. 94: Execution of search warrants by the Australian Federal Police No. 5, August 2023.

2.26 The committee wishes to specifically comment on the serious ongoing impact of this matter, now in its fourth year, on the health and welfare of the Hon Shaoquett Moselmane, a member of the Legislative Council for 13 years from 2009 to 2023, and his family. The committee accepts from the submissions before it that this has clearly caused Mr Moselmane and his family significant distress.

2.27 As stated in previous reports on this matter, the committee understands that at the time of the execution of search warrants by the AFP on various premises associated with Mr Moselmane and his then staffer Mr John Zhang the AFP confirmed to Mr Moselmane that he was not a suspect in their investigation. This was subsequently confirmed.

2.28 Mr Moselmane has never been charged with offences arising from this matter and it seems to the committee logical to infer that he never will be. At the time of the execution of the warrants he was an admitted legal practitioner and held a senior public office which required that he be a person of prior good character in the eyes of the law. He of course enjoys the presumption of innocence, both as a legal principle and as a matter of the fair and restrained collective judgment of the community.

2.29 Despite this, extensive media coverage has suggested to the contrary; that is, that Mr Moselmane was a suspect in serious criminality. This was incorrect. The execution of the warrants themselves was attended by journalists and the matter was extensively publicised before it could be expected the media could bring proper attention to the entire circumstances of the matter.

2.30 This publicity and its timing has been highly damaging to Mr Moselmane and his family.

2.31 The committee does not form a view on the propriety or otherwise of the conduct of the AFP or sections of the media. However, in these circumstances, the committee urges the AFP to ensure sufficient resources are allocated to now resolve the matter speedily.

Justice delayed is justice denied.

For more on this topic, P&I recommends:

https://publish.pearlsandirritations.com/the-cowardly-conduct-of-the-media-government-and-afp/