IN LIMBO: Greg McFarland.
THE solicitor for suspended NSW Game Council employee Greg McFarland is calling on NSW Police and the Game Council to produce evidence of progress in the investigation of Mr McFarland’s alleged illegal hunting in western NSW late last year.
After 80 days of investigation with no result from police or the Game Council, David King-Christopher is questioning why his client remains in limbo on suspension.
Mr McFarland, from Orange, is accused of illegally hunting a feral goat on private property while travelling in a Game Council vehicle late last year.
Another Game Council employee, Andy Mallen, was accused of hunting with Mr McFarland and also stood down from his position. He was cleared and reinstated within a week when he was able to prove he was in Sydney when the December 28 incident allegedly took place.
“I have filed a notice to produce with the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW requiring the Game Council to produce documents surrounding the investigation, including the police investigation,” Mr King-Christopher told the Central Western Daily.
Mr King-Christopher is also questioning why NSW Game Council chief executive office Brian Boyle has stepped aside from his role during the lengthy investigation.
Earlier this month Mr King-Christopher sought a hearing in the Industrial Relations Commission for his client who was stood down from his role at the NSW Game Council over allegations he had taken part in illegal shooting by driving through a fence on private property to shoot a feral goat.
Despite several telephone calls by the CWD to police investigators at Bourke to check on the progress of the investigation, no further information is forthcoming.
Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson was contacted by the CWD again this week and asked to provide an explanation into apparent delays in the investigation. She said it was inappropriate to comment during a police investigation and referred the CWD to previous statements made about the case.