NSW: Tony Stewart sacking challenge to be heard in Supreme Court

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2009
NSW: Tony Stewart sacking challenge to be heard in Supreme Court

SYDNEY, April 9 AAP - Bankstown MP Tony Stewart has been given the "green light" to
have his legal challenge over his sacking from the state's ministry heard in the NSW Supreme
Court.

Mr Stewart is suing Chris Ronalds, SC, and the state of NSW over her report, which
found he bullied a female staff member at a charity dinner in October last year.

The report led to Mr Stewart being sacked as small business minister and he is challenging
the ruling on the grounds he was denied natural justice by Ms Ronalds and the state.

Mr Stewart and prosecutors had submitted his case be heard in the Court of Appeal to
determine several constitutional questions before other facts and evidence were dealt
with.

But on Thursday Justice Michael Adams determined the matter must proceed in a full
and detailed hearing within the Supreme Court's Administrative Law Section, before possibly
then proceeding to the Court of Appeal to determine the constitutional questions.

"Today's determination still provides the green light for me to proceed in the Supreme
Court with this matter," Mr Stewart said in a statement.

"I have said consistently that the allegations made about me that led to my dismissal
as a minister are untrue and I intend now to leave no stone unturned within the Supreme
Court to demonstrate the real truth about this issue."

Mr Stewart has said he is prepared to drop the legal challenge if Premier Nathan Rees
orders a new investigation into the bullying claims.

But the premier says that will not happen.

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KEYWORD: STEWART

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