❓ The Attorney General addresses concerns about leaked information from the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC), highlighting its independence and effectiveness in uncovering corruption, even within its own ranks. He deflects direct responsibility, emphasizing the CCC's autonomy and Parliament's role in its oversight.
AnsweredQoN 440Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the startling revelation in The Western Australian on Saturday that significant confidential information has been leaked to the media regarding the investigative operations of the Corruption and Crime Commission. (1) Is the Attorney General concerned that such detailed information about the investigative operations of the CCC has been leaked in this way? (2) What investigation is being undertaken into the matter? (3) How can the community have confidence in the CCC when such detailed operational matters end up on the front page of the state’s daily newspaper? (4) How can the Attorney General guarantee that any other investigations or activities being carried out by the CCC have not been compromised through a lack of integrity in that organisation? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) Parliament established the Corruption and Crime Commission to replace its much discredited predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Commission, that failed in its many years of activity to even get a run on the board. In its relatively short life - it came into existence at the beginning of last year, 2004 - the CCC has established a reputation for being a very effective body that anyone who behaves corruptly should be fearful of. We established it within the legislative framework that Parliament endorsed as an independent agency which was not accountable to a minister of the government, as is normally the case with other agencies. We did that quite deliberately to make sure that there could be no political involvement or interference in the operations of the CCC. We gave it enormous powers that many members in this place were concerned about to make sure that it could effectively take up the fight against corruption in this state. We trusted the people whom we appointed, including Kevin Hammond, and then the body that was to oversee the CCC, the parliamentary inspector function. We entrusted to them, as eminent members of our community, the responsibility to exercise those powers wisely on behalf of the broader community. That is the framework we set up. I have no power to direct. I am not briefed on the operational issues of the CCC, and neither would I expect to be, other than on one or two statutory issues or when it impinges on things that go to the appointment of acting personnel or the appointments themselves. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the CCC. That is what Parliament said should be the case and that is what has happened and is happening. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house. Mr M.J. Birney : Get it right. Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
(1) Is the Attorney General concerned that such detailed information about the investigative operations of the CCC has been leaked in this way? (2) What investigation is being undertaken into the matter? (3) How can the community have confidence in the CCC when such detailed operational matters end up on the front page of the state’s daily newspaper? (4) How can the Attorney General guarantee that any other investigations or activities being carried out by the CCC have not been compromised through a lack of integrity in that organisation? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) Parliament established the Corruption and Crime Commission to replace its much discredited predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Commission, that failed in its many years of activity to even get a run on the board. In its relatively short life - it came into existence at the beginning of last year, 2004 - the CCC has established a reputation for being a very effective body that anyone who behaves corruptly should be fearful of. We established it within the legislative framework that Parliament endorsed as an independent agency which was not accountable to a minister of the government, as is normally the case with other agencies. We did that quite deliberately to make sure that there could be no political involvement or interference in the operations of the CCC. We gave it enormous powers that many members in this place were concerned about to make sure that it could effectively take up the fight against corruption in this state. We trusted the people whom we appointed, including Kevin Hammond, and then the body that was to oversee the CCC, the parliamentary inspector function. We entrusted to them, as eminent members of our community, the responsibility to exercise those powers wisely on behalf of the broader community. That is the framework we set up. I have no power to direct. I am not briefed on the operational issues of the CCC, and neither would I expect to be, other than on one or two statutory issues or when it impinges on things that go to the appointment of acting personnel or the appointments themselves. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the CCC. That is what Parliament said should be the case and that is what has happened and is happening. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house. Mr M.J. Birney : Get it right. Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
(2) What investigation is being undertaken into the matter? (3) How can the community have confidence in the CCC when such detailed operational matters end up on the front page of the state’s daily newspaper? (4) How can the Attorney General guarantee that any other investigations or activities being carried out by the CCC have not been compromised through a lack of integrity in that organisation? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) Parliament established the Corruption and Crime Commission to replace its much discredited predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Commission, that failed in its many years of activity to even get a run on the board. In its relatively short life - it came into existence at the beginning of last year, 2004 - the CCC has established a reputation for being a very effective body that anyone who behaves corruptly should be fearful of. We established it within the legislative framework that Parliament endorsed as an independent agency which was not accountable to a minister of the government, as is normally the case with other agencies. We did that quite deliberately to make sure that there could be no political involvement or interference in the operations of the CCC. We gave it enormous powers that many members in this place were concerned about to make sure that it could effectively take up the fight against corruption in this state. We trusted the people whom we appointed, including Kevin Hammond, and then the body that was to oversee the CCC, the parliamentary inspector function. We entrusted to them, as eminent members of our community, the responsibility to exercise those powers wisely on behalf of the broader community. That is the framework we set up. I have no power to direct. I am not briefed on the operational issues of the CCC, and neither would I expect to be, other than on one or two statutory issues or when it impinges on things that go to the appointment of acting personnel or the appointments themselves. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the CCC. That is what Parliament said should be the case and that is what has happened and is happening. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house. Mr M.J. Birney : Get it right. Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
(3) How can the community have confidence in the CCC when such detailed operational matters end up on the front page of the state’s daily newspaper? (4) How can the Attorney General guarantee that any other investigations or activities being carried out by the CCC have not been compromised through a lack of integrity in that organisation? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) Parliament established the Corruption and Crime Commission to replace its much discredited predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Commission, that failed in its many years of activity to even get a run on the board. In its relatively short life - it came into existence at the beginning of last year, 2004 - the CCC has established a reputation for being a very effective body that anyone who behaves corruptly should be fearful of. We established it within the legislative framework that Parliament endorsed as an independent agency which was not accountable to a minister of the government, as is normally the case with other agencies. We did that quite deliberately to make sure that there could be no political involvement or interference in the operations of the CCC. We gave it enormous powers that many members in this place were concerned about to make sure that it could effectively take up the fight against corruption in this state. We trusted the people whom we appointed, including Kevin Hammond, and then the body that was to oversee the CCC, the parliamentary inspector function. We entrusted to them, as eminent members of our community, the responsibility to exercise those powers wisely on behalf of the broader community. That is the framework we set up. I have no power to direct. I am not briefed on the operational issues of the CCC, and neither would I expect to be, other than on one or two statutory issues or when it impinges on things that go to the appointment of acting personnel or the appointments themselves. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the CCC. That is what Parliament said should be the case and that is what has happened and is happening. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house. Mr M.J. Birney : Get it right. Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
(4) How can the Attorney General guarantee that any other investigations or activities being carried out by the CCC have not been compromised through a lack of integrity in that organisation? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) Parliament established the Corruption and Crime Commission to replace its much discredited predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Commission, that failed in its many years of activity to even get a run on the board. In its relatively short life - it came into existence at the beginning of last year, 2004 - the CCC has established a reputation for being a very effective body that anyone who behaves corruptly should be fearful of. We established it within the legislative framework that Parliament endorsed as an independent agency which was not accountable to a minister of the government, as is normally the case with other agencies. We did that quite deliberately to make sure that there could be no political involvement or interference in the operations of the CCC. We gave it enormous powers that many members in this place were concerned about to make sure that it could effectively take up the fight against corruption in this state. We trusted the people whom we appointed, including Kevin Hammond, and then the body that was to oversee the CCC, the parliamentary inspector function. We entrusted to them, as eminent members of our community, the responsibility to exercise those powers wisely on behalf of the broader community. That is the framework we set up. I have no power to direct. I am not briefed on the operational issues of the CCC, and neither would I expect to be, other than on one or two statutory issues or when it impinges on things that go to the appointment of acting personnel or the appointments themselves. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the CCC. That is what Parliament said should be the case and that is what has happened and is happening. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house. Mr M.J. Birney : Get it right. Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) Parliament established the Corruption and Crime Commission to replace its much discredited predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Commission, that failed in its many years of activity to even get a run on the board. In its relatively short life - it came into existence at the beginning of last year, 2004 - the CCC has established a reputation for being a very effective body that anyone who behaves corruptly should be fearful of. We established it within the legislative framework that Parliament endorsed as an independent agency which was not accountable to a minister of the government, as is normally the case with other agencies. We did that quite deliberately to make sure that there could be no political involvement or interference in the operations of the CCC. We gave it enormous powers that many members in this place were concerned about to make sure that it could effectively take up the fight against corruption in this state. We trusted the people whom we appointed, including Kevin Hammond, and then the body that was to oversee the CCC, the parliamentary inspector function. We entrusted to them, as eminent members of our community, the responsibility to exercise those powers wisely on behalf of the broader community. That is the framework we set up. I have no power to direct. I am not briefed on the operational issues of the CCC, and neither would I expect to be, other than on one or two statutory issues or when it impinges on things that go to the appointment of acting personnel or the appointments themselves. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the CCC. That is what Parliament said should be the case and that is what has happened and is happening. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house. Mr M.J. Birney : Get it right. Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
(1)-(4) Parliament established the Corruption and Crime Commission to replace its much discredited predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Commission, that failed in its many years of activity to even get a run on the board. In its relatively short life - it came into existence at the beginning of last year, 2004 - the CCC has established a reputation for being a very effective body that anyone who behaves corruptly should be fearful of. We established it within the legislative framework that Parliament endorsed as an independent agency which was not accountable to a minister of the government, as is normally the case with other agencies. We did that quite deliberately to make sure that there could be no political involvement or interference in the operations of the CCC. We gave it enormous powers that many members in this place were concerned about to make sure that it could effectively take up the fight against corruption in this state. We trusted the people whom we appointed, including Kevin Hammond, and then the body that was to oversee the CCC, the parliamentary inspector function. We entrusted to them, as eminent members of our community, the responsibility to exercise those powers wisely on behalf of the broader community. That is the framework we set up. I have no power to direct. I am not briefed on the operational issues of the CCC, and neither would I expect to be, other than on one or two statutory issues or when it impinges on things that go to the appointment of acting personnel or the appointments themselves. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the CCC. That is what Parliament said should be the case and that is what has happened and is happening. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house. Mr M.J. Birney : Get it right. Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house.
We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house.
Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
(1) Is the Attorney General concerned that such detailed information about the investigative operations of the CCC has been leaked in this way? (2) What investigation is being undertaken into the matter? (3) How can the community have confidence in the CCC when such detailed operational matters end up on the front page of the state’s daily newspaper? (4) How can the Attorney General guarantee that any other investigations or activities being carried out by the CCC have not been compromised through a lack of integrity in that organisation? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) Parliament established the Corruption and Crime Commission to replace its much discredited predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Commission, that failed in its many years of activity to even get a run on the board. In its relatively short life - it came into existence at the beginning of last year, 2004 - the CCC has established a reputation for being a very effective body that anyone who behaves corruptly should be fearful of. We established it within the legislative framework that Parliament endorsed as an independent agency which was not accountable to a minister of the government, as is normally the case with other agencies. We did that quite deliberately to make sure that there could be no political involvement or interference in the operations of the CCC. We gave it enormous powers that many members in this place were concerned about to make sure that it could effectively take up the fight against corruption in this state. We trusted the people whom we appointed, including Kevin Hammond, and then the body that was to oversee the CCC, the parliamentary inspector function. We entrusted to them, as eminent members of our community, the responsibility to exercise those powers wisely on behalf of the broader community. That is the framework we set up. I have no power to direct. I am not briefed on the operational issues of the CCC, and neither would I expect to be, other than on one or two statutory issues or when it impinges on things that go to the appointment of acting personnel or the appointments themselves. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the CCC. That is what Parliament said should be the case and that is what has happened and is happening. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house. Mr M.J. Birney : Get it right. Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
(2) What investigation is being undertaken into the matter? (3) How can the community have confidence in the CCC when such detailed operational matters end up on the front page of the state’s daily newspaper? (4) How can the Attorney General guarantee that any other investigations or activities being carried out by the CCC have not been compromised through a lack of integrity in that organisation? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) Parliament established the Corruption and Crime Commission to replace its much discredited predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Commission, that failed in its many years of activity to even get a run on the board. In its relatively short life - it came into existence at the beginning of last year, 2004 - the CCC has established a reputation for being a very effective body that anyone who behaves corruptly should be fearful of. We established it within the legislative framework that Parliament endorsed as an independent agency which was not accountable to a minister of the government, as is normally the case with other agencies. We did that quite deliberately to make sure that there could be no political involvement or interference in the operations of the CCC. We gave it enormous powers that many members in this place were concerned about to make sure that it could effectively take up the fight against corruption in this state. We trusted the people whom we appointed, including Kevin Hammond, and then the body that was to oversee the CCC, the parliamentary inspector function. We entrusted to them, as eminent members of our community, the responsibility to exercise those powers wisely on behalf of the broader community. That is the framework we set up. I have no power to direct. I am not briefed on the operational issues of the CCC, and neither would I expect to be, other than on one or two statutory issues or when it impinges on things that go to the appointment of acting personnel or the appointments themselves. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the CCC. That is what Parliament said should be the case and that is what has happened and is happening. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house. Mr M.J. Birney : Get it right. Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
(3) How can the community have confidence in the CCC when such detailed operational matters end up on the front page of the state’s daily newspaper? (4) How can the Attorney General guarantee that any other investigations or activities being carried out by the CCC have not been compromised through a lack of integrity in that organisation? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) Parliament established the Corruption and Crime Commission to replace its much discredited predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Commission, that failed in its many years of activity to even get a run on the board. In its relatively short life - it came into existence at the beginning of last year, 2004 - the CCC has established a reputation for being a very effective body that anyone who behaves corruptly should be fearful of. We established it within the legislative framework that Parliament endorsed as an independent agency which was not accountable to a minister of the government, as is normally the case with other agencies. We did that quite deliberately to make sure that there could be no political involvement or interference in the operations of the CCC. We gave it enormous powers that many members in this place were concerned about to make sure that it could effectively take up the fight against corruption in this state. We trusted the people whom we appointed, including Kevin Hammond, and then the body that was to oversee the CCC, the parliamentary inspector function. We entrusted to them, as eminent members of our community, the responsibility to exercise those powers wisely on behalf of the broader community. That is the framework we set up. I have no power to direct. I am not briefed on the operational issues of the CCC, and neither would I expect to be, other than on one or two statutory issues or when it impinges on things that go to the appointment of acting personnel or the appointments themselves. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the CCC. That is what Parliament said should be the case and that is what has happened and is happening. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house. Mr M.J. Birney : Get it right. Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
(4) How can the Attorney General guarantee that any other investigations or activities being carried out by the CCC have not been compromised through a lack of integrity in that organisation? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) Parliament established the Corruption and Crime Commission to replace its much discredited predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Commission, that failed in its many years of activity to even get a run on the board. In its relatively short life - it came into existence at the beginning of last year, 2004 - the CCC has established a reputation for being a very effective body that anyone who behaves corruptly should be fearful of. We established it within the legislative framework that Parliament endorsed as an independent agency which was not accountable to a minister of the government, as is normally the case with other agencies. We did that quite deliberately to make sure that there could be no political involvement or interference in the operations of the CCC. We gave it enormous powers that many members in this place were concerned about to make sure that it could effectively take up the fight against corruption in this state. We trusted the people whom we appointed, including Kevin Hammond, and then the body that was to oversee the CCC, the parliamentary inspector function. We entrusted to them, as eminent members of our community, the responsibility to exercise those powers wisely on behalf of the broader community. That is the framework we set up. I have no power to direct. I am not briefed on the operational issues of the CCC, and neither would I expect to be, other than on one or two statutory issues or when it impinges on things that go to the appointment of acting personnel or the appointments themselves. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the CCC. That is what Parliament said should be the case and that is what has happened and is happening. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house. Mr M.J. Birney : Get it right. Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) Parliament established the Corruption and Crime Commission to replace its much discredited predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Commission, that failed in its many years of activity to even get a run on the board. In its relatively short life - it came into existence at the beginning of last year, 2004 - the CCC has established a reputation for being a very effective body that anyone who behaves corruptly should be fearful of. We established it within the legislative framework that Parliament endorsed as an independent agency which was not accountable to a minister of the government, as is normally the case with other agencies. We did that quite deliberately to make sure that there could be no political involvement or interference in the operations of the CCC. We gave it enormous powers that many members in this place were concerned about to make sure that it could effectively take up the fight against corruption in this state. We trusted the people whom we appointed, including Kevin Hammond, and then the body that was to oversee the CCC, the parliamentary inspector function. We entrusted to them, as eminent members of our community, the responsibility to exercise those powers wisely on behalf of the broader community. That is the framework we set up. I have no power to direct. I am not briefed on the operational issues of the CCC, and neither would I expect to be, other than on one or two statutory issues or when it impinges on things that go to the appointment of acting personnel or the appointments themselves. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the CCC. That is what Parliament said should be the case and that is what has happened and is happening. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house. Mr M.J. Birney : Get it right. Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
(1)-(4) Parliament established the Corruption and Crime Commission to replace its much discredited predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Commission, that failed in its many years of activity to even get a run on the board. In its relatively short life - it came into existence at the beginning of last year, 2004 - the CCC has established a reputation for being a very effective body that anyone who behaves corruptly should be fearful of. We established it within the legislative framework that Parliament endorsed as an independent agency which was not accountable to a minister of the government, as is normally the case with other agencies. We did that quite deliberately to make sure that there could be no political involvement or interference in the operations of the CCC. We gave it enormous powers that many members in this place were concerned about to make sure that it could effectively take up the fight against corruption in this state. We trusted the people whom we appointed, including Kevin Hammond, and then the body that was to oversee the CCC, the parliamentary inspector function. We entrusted to them, as eminent members of our community, the responsibility to exercise those powers wisely on behalf of the broader community. That is the framework we set up. I have no power to direct. I am not briefed on the operational issues of the CCC, and neither would I expect to be, other than on one or two statutory issues or when it impinges on things that go to the appointment of acting personnel or the appointments themselves. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the CCC. That is what Parliament said should be the case and that is what has happened and is happening. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house. Mr M.J. Birney : Get it right. Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
The Leader of the Opposition asked whether I am concerned about a report that appeared in The Western Australian newspaper. I do not know whether that report is accurate and nor does anyone else in this house know whether that report is accurate. We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house.
We had the sensational behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition only two weeks ago in this place relying on the worst tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom as his source of authority for a particular proposition he put to this house.
Mr R.F. Johnson : It is a very popular paper. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : The Sunday Mirror - that was right. The Leader of the Opposition was relying on the Sunday Mirror as a reputable authority for particular events which proved to be absolute nonsense. In this case, I have been asked a question in relation to a report, that I understand was at least in some respects incorrect, as it appeared in The West Australian; that is, whether I am concerned about those sorts of matters including the leaks from the CCC. Those are matters that I understand will be addressed later today. The CCC, having done extremely well in its first 20 months of operation, has now pinged one of its own. The acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission has been caught out by that organisation that Parliament set up. Her misbehaviour has been revealed for all concerned to see and her resignation was forced upon her. Out of this very unfortunate misbehaviour by Moira Rayner - I condemn it absolutely - the public can take some comfort from the fact that the CCC was strong enough and powerful enough to uncover her misbehaviour and to expose it. Now it can move forward and continue its very good work in exposing corruption in Western Australia.
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