ADF af:panelSplitter binding in threeColumnTemplate NullPointerException

Yes - the problem is with the current limitations on the level of EL expression language capabilities on the EL expression enabled attributes of various tags.

1) The Oracle Fusion Expression - BUILDER - currently only allows the following operations;
#{&&} #{||} #{>} #{<} #{>=} #{<=} #{==} #{!=} #{-} #{!} #{+} #{-} #{*} #{} #{%}

2) The Oracle Fusion Expression - BUILDER - currently DOES NOT allow;
a) access to public methods
b) access to public methods of any return type
c) access to public methods with any parameter lists

-- My Problem --
<af:pageTemplate viewId="/templates/threeColumnTemplate.jspx"> -- This is the template with the following;
The code:
af:panelSplitter collapsed="false" binding="#{backingBeanScope.backing_jsp_myDetails.panelSpliterRightShoppingCart}"

a) This binding attribute as a valid EL expression, the page compiles with no-errors.
b) The backing bean and the field attribute exist
c) The filed attribute of type RichPanelSplitter - it has setter and getter methods.
d) The code: The if check removes the NullPointerException, but does not explain why the field data member is not populated, it show not be NULL, all other Richxxx types are populated with valid page object references.
public void collapseExpandRightCartPanelSplitter() {
System.out.println("collapseExpandRightCartPanelSplitter: " + "collapseExpandRightCartPanelSplitter()");
System.out.println("panelSpliterRightShoppingCart: " + panelSpliterRightShoppingCart);
if (this.panelSpliterRightShoppingCart != null) { //Removes NullPointerException
if (this.panelSpliterRightShoppingCart.isRendered()) {
this.panelSpliterRightShoppingCart.setCollapsed(false);
} else {
this.panelSpliterRightShoppingCart.setCollapsed(true);
}
}
}
e) The main JSPX page calls the template and has a RichCommandButton - this button has an action which invokes the collapseExpandRightCartPanelSplitter() method in the backing bean! But of course as mentioned the field data member is not populated and is always NULL for some reason!