❓ Mrs. Roberts questions the Premier about the CCC investigation into the Police Commissioner's credit card usage, including the timing of advice, contact with the CCC, and tabling of the report. The Premier expresses confidence in the Commissioner and hopes for a swift resolution.
AnsweredQoN 339Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COMMISSIONER
OF POLICE — CORRUPTION AND CRIME COMMISSION INVESTIGATION
339. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS to the Premier:
I refer to the Corruption and Crime Commission report into
the Commissioner of Police's credit card usage.
(1) When was the
Premier first advised that the CCC was investigating the police commissioner
over the use of his credit card?
(2) Has the
Premier been in contact with the CCC to seek an explanation for why the report
has taken so long to be finalised, given the importance of dealing with the
issue of Dr O'Callaghan's renewal of contract?
(3) Will the
Premier commit to tabling this second Corruption and Crime Commission report,
just as the other CCC report was tabled last Friday; and, if not, why not?
OF POLICE — CORRUPTION AND CRIME COMMISSION INVESTIGATION
339. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS to the Premier:
I refer to the Corruption and Crime Commission report into
the Commissioner of Police's credit card usage.
(1) When was the
Premier first advised that the CCC was investigating the police commissioner
over the use of his credit card?
(2) Has the
Premier been in contact with the CCC to seek an explanation for why the report
has taken so long to be finalised, given the importance of dealing with the
issue of Dr O'Callaghan's renewal of contract?
(3) Will the
Premier commit to tabling this second Corruption and Crime Commission report,
just as the other CCC report was tabled last Friday; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I
became aware of the investigations by the CCC into the two matters relating to
the Commissioner of Police—the first being the Perth hills bushfire
issue, and the second being related to credit cards. I became aware, I think,
probably the day—or maybe just before—there was a media story
about it; I think it was on the front page of The West Australian . That is when I became aware. I have had no
contact —
Mrs M.H. Roberts :
So that was back in about February?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes, whenever it was. I think I became aware within 24 hours of that media
report.
Members will recall that I did not know any details. The CCC
actually put out a statement, probably when it became aware there was going to
be some media comment. The CCC put out a statement about those investigations,
and that was the only formal advice I received. I have been in no contact with
the CCC at all. There have been some discussions between the Department of the
Premier and Cabinet and the CCC to try to ascertain the timing of these
reports. Bear in mind, the position of Commissioner of Police is one of the
most important positions in Western Australia, and it is important that we have
certainty about that position. Also, I guess it is complicated by the fact that
Dr O'Callaghan's appointment is coming up for reappointment in
August.
As I have said publicly and I repeat in this place, I have
absolute confidence in the Commissioner of Police, as does the Minister for
Police. We are intending to reappoint him. I would hope that the second report
comes down that would take away any doubt about any issues surrounding him. It
is interesting that the CCC has already made the point both in the first
report, and the second report, which I have not seen and I am not aware of—I
do not even know what the allegations are—that nevertheless —
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : Have you any idea why it is taking so long?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : No. The CCC has made the statement that there is no finding
of misconduct. I do not know the details at all about what allegations—what
matters—are being investigated with respect to the use of credit cards.
I would hope that the CCC will conclude that report and produce it as quickly
as possible. I would imagine that it will be made public; it will probably be
tabled by the CCC itself, as it tabled and made public the first report.
became aware of the investigations by the CCC into the two matters relating to
the Commissioner of Police—the first being the Perth hills bushfire
issue, and the second being related to credit cards. I became aware, I think,
probably the day—or maybe just before—there was a media story
about it; I think it was on the front page of The West Australian . That is when I became aware. I have had no
contact —
Mrs M.H. Roberts :
So that was back in about February?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes, whenever it was. I think I became aware within 24 hours of that media
report.
Members will recall that I did not know any details. The CCC
actually put out a statement, probably when it became aware there was going to
be some media comment. The CCC put out a statement about those investigations,
and that was the only formal advice I received. I have been in no contact with
the CCC at all. There have been some discussions between the Department of the
Premier and Cabinet and the CCC to try to ascertain the timing of these
reports. Bear in mind, the position of Commissioner of Police is one of the
most important positions in Western Australia, and it is important that we have
certainty about that position. Also, I guess it is complicated by the fact that
Dr O'Callaghan's appointment is coming up for reappointment in
August.
As I have said publicly and I repeat in this place, I have
absolute confidence in the Commissioner of Police, as does the Minister for
Police. We are intending to reappoint him. I would hope that the second report
comes down that would take away any doubt about any issues surrounding him. It
is interesting that the CCC has already made the point both in the first
report, and the second report, which I have not seen and I am not aware of—I
do not even know what the allegations are—that nevertheless —
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : Have you any idea why it is taking so long?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : No. The CCC has made the statement that there is no finding
of misconduct. I do not know the details at all about what allegations—what
matters—are being investigated with respect to the use of credit cards.
I would hope that the CCC will conclude that report and produce it as quickly
as possible. I would imagine that it will be made public; it will probably be
tabled by the CCC itself, as it tabled and made public the first report.
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