NEW secrecy provisions have been given to the NSW Ombudsman to prevent the publication of any evidence that emerges from his inquiry into the NSW police wiretapping scandal.

The NSW government has enacted broad new powers allowing the Ombudsman to prevent the publication of any documents or verbal evidence from witnesses.

''A step backwards'' … the Greens MP David Shoebridge. Credit:Andrew Quilty

The act to expand the Ombudsman's powers was prompted by the inquiry into Strike Force Emblems, which implicates senior members of the NSW police in illegal wiretapping. The powers are similar to those of the Police Integrity Commission and the NSW Crime Commission.

The Greens MP David Shoebridge said the new statutory secrecy provisions were rushed through Parliament this week with less than 24 hours' notice and no public consultation.