NSW political staffers could be arrested after failing to appear at Dural caravan inquiry

Empty seats for the staffers who failed to attend Friday’s hearing into the Dural caravan incident and the passage of controversial hate speech and places of worship legislation. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

A parliamentary committee is seeking warrants for the arrest of five New South Wales government staffers who failed to appear and give evidence to an inquiry examining the Sydney caravan “fake terrorism plot”.

The staffers – three from the office of the premier, Chris Minns, and two who work for the police minister, Yasmin Catley – were summoned to appear before the inquiry on Friday.