Liberal Party delays Police Royal Commission report

24/11/03
The Police Royal Commission has been forced to delay delivery of its final report - due to be handed down this Friday - because of massive problems created by the Liberal Party in delaying establishment of Western Australia's new corruption watchdog.
Attorney General Jim McGinty said Commissioner Geoffrey Kennedy QC had completed his report and had been ready to deliver it but believed the fight against corruption would be severely compromised if the Royal Commission wound up before the new Corruption and Crime Commission was established.
The Royal Commission and its powers automatically end when its final report is delivered to the Government.
"A major concern was the prospect of ongoing Royal Commission investigations that were intended to be handed over to the CCC being compromised," Mr McGinty said.
"Those investigations would have had to be stopped because the existing Anti-Corruption Commission - unlike the planned CCC - does not have the Royal Commission's assumed identity, controlled operations or integrity testing powers."
Mr McGinty said Commissioner Kennedy had agreed to continue operating until the CCC legislation was passed by the Legislative Council. He was prepared to continue till January 30 if necessary.
"We now have the extraordinary situation where the Royal Commission has to sit on its major report into corruption while we wait for the Liberal Party to do its job and deal with this crucial legislation," the Attorney General said.
"This legislation has been stymied in the Legislative Council since June - five months ago.
"Establishment of the CCC was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission, which stressed the need for a smooth transition between it and the Royal Commission.
"It is deeply disturbing that the co-operation in Parliament that occurred in New South Wales following the Wood Royal Commission is sadly lacking here."
Mr McGinty said the CCC - when it was finally established - would be the toughest anti-corruption agency in the nation.
It would be armed with all of the powers of a Royal Commission to investigate alleged corruption by police and public officers, as well as organised crime.
This included the power to:

• compel witnesses to give evidence;
• conduct integrity tests and controlled operations;
• use assumed identities; and
• hold public hearings.

The substantial powers provided under the Government's tough anti-gang laws targeting Outlaw Motor Cycle Gangs and other organised crime groups would also be transferred to the CCC.
Without the CCC, those exceptional powers - which included enhanced powers to enter, search and detain without a warrant - could not be utilised in the fight against corruption, not could the CCC oversee hearings into organised crime allegations.
"There is no doubt the CCC will be a very substantial weapon in the fight against corruption," Mr McGinty said.
"It has already attracted strong interest and support from law enforcement agencies nationally and internationally.
"I call on the Liberal Party as a matter of urgency to now work with the Government to pass this very important legislation."
Attorney General's office: 9220 5000