Today I come not to defend [Paterson] but to consider the process by which he has been tried. It is not for me to judge him, others have done that, but was the process a fair one? Let justice be done though the heavens fall.
The concerns that have been raised with me in this case and other standards cases by honourable members from government and opposition parties include the lack of examination of witnesses, the unused mechanism for the appointment of an investigatory panel, the interpretation of the rules relating to whistleblowing, the length of time taken for and the lack of continuity and participation in investigations, the application of aggravating factors and the absence of the right of appeal.
