NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb accused of buying over 100 bottles of the psychopaths drink of choice
BY: Kartya Vucetic
What happened on Wednesday?
This week, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb was accused by NSW independent MP Rod Roberts of using taxpayer money to purchase over 100 bottles of gin. Mr. Roberts, who claimed Webb had “used” some of the alcohol herself, raised the claims under parliamentary privilege on Wednesday.
The Commissioner quickly refuted the accusations, denying that any of the gin had been used for personal purposes. Instead, she claimed that 50 bottles had been properly purchased for gifts and charity, alongside corresponding gifting boxes. Commissioner Webb also noted that of the 50 bottles, 24 had currently been distributed.
Was this proper practice?
After investigation into the matter, the LECC declared that the gin purchase “was in accordance with policies and procedures.” Police Minister Yasmin Catley also noted this week that gifting alcohol was “an established practice” among commissioners and parliamentarians.
What was less proper, however, was the fact that Commissioner Webb had personal associations with the gin supplier. The 50 bottles, purchased at $85 a unit and totalling $4,250 in taxpayer money, were bought from Pokolbin winery and distillery, Hope Estate. Commissioner Webb, who holds a years-long friendship with owner Michael Hope, failed to disclose this association. Despite former NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller also purchasing gifts from the same distillery, the LECC constituted this as a failure to declare a conflict or perceived conflict of interest.
What happens now?
It is likely that Commissioner Webb will exit this situation with a slap on the wrist. While she didn’t follow the LECC practices in declaring the conflict, the purchasing of gin for gifts and charity was not a violation of standard practice in itself. Realistically, it’s likely that this is an instance of oversight, rather than malevolent behaviour.
To her credit, Commissioner Webb has moved swiftly in response to the controversy. Overnight, she banned taxpayer-funded alcohol gifts within the department. This is undeniably a move in the right direction. While gifting alcohol among commissioners and parliamentarians might be ‘standard practice,’ this doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the right one.
In the scope of a professional context that frequently deals with matters pertaining to alcohol-induced violence, there seems to be a level of hypocrisy in gifting bottles of liquor. Particularly when studies show that people who prefer bitter tastes, such as gin, are statistically more likely to possess psychopathic traits.
I mean, come on guys, does anyone else see the irony? No, just me? Nevermind.
