[6] Babb's 10-year appointment as the Director of Public Prosecutions began on 18 July 2011, when he replaced Nicholas Cowdery, who retired after 17 years in the job.
NSW has been fortunate indeed to have benefited from the expertise, professionalism and integrity Babb brought to the position over the past decade.”[10] Babb's notable successful prosecutions include the Darwiche Razzak Fahda series of murders, Robert Hughes (Hey Dad actor),[11] Graeme Reeves (the Butcher of Bega),[12] the constitutional challenge to the state application to outlaw the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and Wendy Stott.
[15] State Coroner Michael Barnes found that there could be "no doubt" that Attwater had inflicted her fatal injuries;[16] however, in November 2015, the NSW DPP declined to prosecute for a second time, sending a letter to Ms Daley's family stating that "There is not enough evidence to establish that Attwater committed the unlawful and dangerous act which led to Lynette's death."
The NSW DPP resisted the coroner's recommendations to consider renewing charges against Attwater and Maris, until the intervention of Attorney General for New South Wales Gabrielle Upton in February 2016.
[17] Following the airing of an ABC Four Corners story in May 2016,[18] Babb announced that he had "taken the unusual step of seeking advice from independent counsel,"[19] who would review the decision not to prosecute the two suspects.