What is it that drives the NSW Government?
Shaw has been ignored by the prosecution office. Chaytor has been welcomed back to the ALP fold after haveing been labeled a coward (and apologised to, it was after all close to an election).
But, while all processes may be appropriate and fair, it stinks.
ALP officials have worked closely with Shaw. Until the reasons behind this decision by the DPP are made public, and they might never be, the decision remains suspiciously like corruption.
Meanwhile, the exhoneration of Chaytor does not mean he isn't a coward.
No further action against Shaw
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THE police watchdog says it will not be taking any further action against former NSW attorney-general and supreme court judge Jeff Shaw.
Shaw has avoided a charge of perverting the course of justice over a vial of his blood which was allegedly stolen in 2004.
He pleaded guilty to a downgraded drink-driving charge in 2005, and in December last year the Police Integrity Commission (PIC) recommended Mr Shaw be prosecuted for the alleged theft.
A spokesman for the PIC said the commission had now dropped the matter, on the advice of the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which itself has refused to confirm or deny Shaw will not be prosecuted.
"The PIC does not intend to pursue the matter further," the spokesman said.
"We consider it closed, based on advice from the DPP that they do not intend to commence with criminal proceedings or prosecute."
He said the PIC had asked the DPP today for the reasons behind its decision, but could not say when the request would be complied with.
The reasons could be made public by the Police Integrity Commissioner at his discretion, the spokesman said.
Chaytor welcomed back to ALP
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FORMER NSW MP Steven Chaytor has been reinstated as a member of the Australian Labor Party after an assault conviction against him was overturned.
His reinstatement came at a meeting of the party committee today.
Mr Chaytor was suspended by Premier Morris Iemma and disendorsed as a candidate in the lead-up to the March state election after being convicted of assaulting his girlfriend.
A judge in the NSW District Court overturned the conviction on appeal this week, agreeing Mr Chaytor acted in self-defence.
"The (NSW Labor Party) committee met today and considered correspondence from Mr Chaytor requesting the suspension be dropped, and the unanimous decision of the committee was to reinstate him," a party spokesman said.
"(Mr Chaytor) is now a financial member of the Australian Labor Party."