NSW Attorney-General Brad Hazzard has pointed to the judiciary's independence in the face of questions stemming from a row about law and order at Dubbo.
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He said it was the chief magistrate who made decisions about Dubbo's local court.
Questions were directed to Mr Hazzard after a national newspaper report in October made allegations about Dubbo MP and Deputy Premier Troy Grant's role in lobbying him to replace Dubbo magistrate Andrew Eckhold.
Mr Grant said then he would continue to raise important issues affecting the community with the relevant ministers, an intention he repeated this week.
Opposition spokesman for justice Paul Lynch last month asked the attorney-general if Mr Grant had asked, requested, suggested or in any way made representations that Mr Eckhold no longer sit or have sittings reduced at Dubbo.
The due date for an answer to Mr Lynch's question on notice was Tuesday and Mr Hazzard's one-line response was published on the Parliament's website yesterday.
"The only individual who can alter sitting days for magistrates is the Chief Magistrate," Mr Hazzard said.
Mr Lynch's question on notice about if changes to sittings at Dubbo Local Court meant Mr Eckhold would hear fewer local court matters originating at Dubbo also prompted a response from the attorney-general.
"I am advised: the sitting days for all magistrates on the Dubbo Local Court circuit will be affected by the proposed changes," he said.
In a question on notice to Mr Grant, Mr Lynch had asked him if he had asked, requested, suggested or in any way made representations that Mr Eckhold no longer sit or have reduced sittings at the local court at Dubbo.
As the deadline approached this week, Labor candidate for Dubbo and local lawyer with the Aboriginal Legal Service Stephen Lawrence had said he looked forward to Mr Grant's answer.
"The community is entitled to transparency from Mr Grant and indeed the rules of Parliament demand it," he said.
"Our courts are independent and important institutions and the placement of magistrates is a matter exclusively for the Chief Magistrate under the applicable legislation."
The Parliament's website was yesterday afternoon yet to publish Mr Grant's response, but the deputy premier issued a statement about the matter to the Daily Liberal on Tuesday.
"The attorney-general visited Dubbo at my request and met with a range of legal stakeholders and community groups," Mr Grant said.
"As the Member for Dubbo, I am committed to representing my community and will continue to raise important issues affecting my community with the relevant minister."
