Witnesses are increasingly refusing to appear before New South Wales parliamentary inquiries following a December NSW Court of Appeal ruling that invalidated provisions of the Parliamentary Evidence Act. The court determined that arrest warrant powers impaired institutional integrity, stemming from a legal challenge by James Cullen, chief of staff to Premier Chris Minns. This ruling has emboldened individuals, including media consultant Brigid Glanville and facilities director James O’Brien, to ignore summonses. Critics, such as Anthony Whealy KC, argue this undermines democratic oversight and public interest investigations. While the High Court granted leave for an appeal, the current stalemate has stalled government legislation, as opposition members leverage the issue to force reform. Premier Minns maintains that the existing division of powers remains sufficient.