An inquiry will examine the NSW ombudsman's police bugging investigation and probe the leaking of confidential information to the media involving Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas.
Labor's Adam Searle, Greens MP David Shoebridge and Shooters & Fishers MP Robert Borsak on Monday made the case for an inquiry examining why it has taken so long for Ombudsman Bruce Barbour to finalise his report into Operation Prospect, two and a half years after it began.
"This is a $5 million public inquiry that seems to have run off the rails," Mr Shoebridge said.
Mr Searle said the ombudman's investigation had gone on "far too long" and the public needed assurances about how it would be finalised once Mr Barbour leaves office.
His report was due to be handed up this month but the ombudsman's office said "it is now clear that this is unlikely".
The proposed parliamentary inquiry - which is expected to get the green light on Tuesday afternoon - would also consider the leaking of confidential information about the potential prosecution of Mr Kaldas and charges he might face.
A front page Fairfax Media report last month revealed that Mr Barbour was considering referring Mr Kaldas, who has long been tipped as a contender to lead the NSW Police Force, to the DPP for consideration of criminal charges.
Within days, NSW Premier Mike Baird announced that he had extended the contract of Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, who was due to retire later this year.
Mr Shoebridge said the timing of the leak was "highly politicised" and should be looked at.
"Only a certain number of people would have been in the tent and known that information - the ombudsman, the DPP, the attorney-general's office and potentially the premier's office," he said.
Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton has denied any role in the leak, though Mr Shoebridge, Mr Borsak and Mr Searle indicated on Monday that they may call Mr Baird, Ms Upton or her staffers as witnesses, as well as the ombudsman himself.
The mooted upper house inquiry, if approved, would report back by July 20.
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