New investigation powers for Anti-Corruption Comm. from Nov 1

24/10/96

The most powerful body to fight corruption in the history of Western Australia, the Anti-Corruption Commission, will have its new investigative powers from November 1.

Premier Richard Court today announced that two appointments had been made to the Commission and that remaining sections of the Official Corruption Commission Amendment Act had been proclaimed by the Governor in Executive Council.

Mr Court said Mr Don Doig and Commodore David Orr RAN (Rtd) had been appointed as members of the Anti-Corruption Commission - in accordance with the recommendations of a committee consisting of the Chief Justice, the Chief Judge of the District Court and the Solicitor General.

The appointments are for terms of two years.

Mr Doig served as the Under Secretary for Law in the Crown Law Department from 1983 until his retirement in June 1993. He has also carried out a number of special appointments under the Public Sector Management Act to conduct investigations and inquiries into allegations of breaches of discipline.

Commodore Orr had a distinguished naval career covering 33 years, including a posting as Naval Officer Commanding Western Australia. He was appointed Executive Officer of the Official Corruption Commission, as it was then known, in 1989 and retired from that position in June this year.

The two new commissioners will join ACC chairman Hon John Wickham.

The commission's Director of Anti-Corruption Investigations will be appointed as soon as possible.

Mr Court said sections of the Official Corruption Commission Act to allow the appointment of the commissioners had previously been proclaimed and the remainder of the Act would now come into force from next Friday.

"The establishment of the new commission is part of the Coalition's commitment to rooting out and cracking down on corruption," he said.

"The commission will have a vital role to play in investigating corrupt, criminal and serious improper conduct in the public sector."

Media Contact: Casey Cahill 222 9475