‘Not a good look’: witnesses refuse to appear before NSW parliamentary hearings after court ruling

A December NSW court of appeal decision invalidated provisions allowing arrest warrants to compel witnesses to parliamentary inquiries, prompting several witnesses to refuse to appear in 2026. The ruling arose after James Cullen (chief of staff to NSW premier Chris Minns) launched legal action in October to avoid giving evidence; the Australian high court granted special leave in March for an appeal likely not heard until September. The loss of compulsion powers has created legislative friction — the opposition and crossbench passed a March fix now stuck in the lower house — increasing political and governance uncertainty in New South Wales. For investors, the ruling raises near-term political risk and policy uncertainty that could weigh on sentiment toward Australian equities (Australia 200), particularly given the Minns government’s minority position and stalled bills, until the high court or legislative fixes resolve the issue.