❓ Hon. Tjorn Sibma questions the DPP regarding dropped charges against Jacob Anthonisz due to a breakdown with police, seeking details on communication, understanding, and future preventative measures. The answer outlines meetings, expectations set, and reviews underway.
AnsweredQoN 435Legislative Council
Asked
9 May 2023
Member
Portfolio
parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney General
QuestionView source ↗
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
PROSECUTIONS — JACOB ANTHONISZ
435. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Attorney General:
I
refer to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision to
drop 542 charges against Mr Jacob Anthonisz due to a ''significant
breakdown of understanding'' with police.
(1) On how many
occasions did prosecutors from the DPP meet with, or communicate with, officers
from Western Australia Police Force's financial crimes unit in relation
to compiling the brief of evidence?
(2) What was or
were the common understanding or understandings in relation to the management
of this case that arose from these meetings, and at what organisational level
was this information communicated and when?
(3) What measures
will be taken by the DPP in relation to its future dealings with WA police
regarding this and other cases to avoid another comprehensively poor outcome?
PROSECUTIONS — JACOB ANTHONISZ
435. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Attorney General:
I
refer to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision to
drop 542 charges against Mr Jacob Anthonisz due to a ''significant
breakdown of understanding'' with police.
(1) On how many
occasions did prosecutors from the DPP meet with, or communicate with, officers
from Western Australia Police Force's financial crimes unit in relation
to compiling the brief of evidence?
(2) What was or
were the common understanding or understandings in relation to the management
of this case that arose from these meetings, and at what organisational level
was this information communicated and when?
(3) What measures
will be taken by the DPP in relation to its future dealings with WA police
regarding this and other cases to avoid another comprehensively poor outcome?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
has provided the following advice.
(1) From June
2021, the ODPP held regular joint meetings with the Western Australia Police
Force, including meeting with it more than 10 times between August 2021 and
August 2022. The ODPP routinely provided police investigators with updated
schedules of outstanding matters, and sent regular correspondence to WA police,
writing on more than 10 occasions between 4 November 2021 and 19 December 2022.
(2) At the first
joint meeting convened by the ODPP, the ODPP prosecution team explained the
expectations and requirements for the prosecution case, including the nature of
the financial analysis reports needed, and provided to the WA police an
outstanding matters requisition schedule, listing requisitions and time lines
for disclosure. This was again explained by the ODPP at a joint meeting on 3 August
2021, and regularly articulated at meetings and in correspondence.
(3) A review of all current complex financial crime prosecutions,
including corruption prosecutions, involving similar evidentiary issues
is being undertaken. The ODPP is also reviewing relevant practices and
procedures. The ODPP will work closely with WA police as part of that process.
some notice of this question. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
has provided the following advice.
(1) From June
2021, the ODPP held regular joint meetings with the Western Australia Police
Force, including meeting with it more than 10 times between August 2021 and
August 2022. The ODPP routinely provided police investigators with updated
schedules of outstanding matters, and sent regular correspondence to WA police,
writing on more than 10 occasions between 4 November 2021 and 19 December 2022.
(2) At the first
joint meeting convened by the ODPP, the ODPP prosecution team explained the
expectations and requirements for the prosecution case, including the nature of
the financial analysis reports needed, and provided to the WA police an
outstanding matters requisition schedule, listing requisitions and time lines
for disclosure. This was again explained by the ODPP at a joint meeting on 3 August
2021, and regularly articulated at meetings and in correspondence.
(3) A review of all current complex financial crime prosecutions,
including corruption prosecutions, involving similar evidentiary issues
is being undertaken. The ODPP is also reviewing relevant practices and
procedures. The ODPP will work closely with WA police as part of that process.
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