Politician alleges NSW corrections illegally snooped on her calls with prisoners

Sue Higginson, a New South Wales Greens MLC and justice spokesperson, has alleged that Corrective Services officers unlawfully monitored her phone calls with prisoners—a practice prohibited by law for calls involving parliamentarians. Higginson told parliament that the agency demonstrated knowledge of her conversations in ways that made clear they had been listening in, and she claims prison officers subsequently threatened inmates who had sought her assistance. The allegation raises serious questions about whether NSW corrections has breached legal protections designed to ensure politicians can communicate confidentially with constituents in custody. Higginson's claims suggest a pattern of "routine" monitoring, implying the practice may have been systemic rather than isolated. The matter is likely to prompt investigations into Corrective Services conduct and potential legislative review of oversight mechanisms.