❓ Mr McGinty questions the Premier regarding allegations of misconduct within the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), specifically the destruction and withholding of evidence. The Premier acknowledges the seriousness of the allegations, stating he has sought responses from the ACC and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
AnsweredQoN 273Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the legal opinion from Malcolm McCusker QC that found that the conduct of the Anti-Corruption Commission in withholding and destroying evidence was, at best, improper and incompetent and, at worst, a possible attempt to pervert the course of justice. (1) Does the Premier find it acceptable that an ACC officer destroyed crucial evidence? (2) Does the Premier find it acceptable that the ACC withheld relevant evidence from the Director of Public Prosecutions? (3) What action has the Premier taken to deal with the people concerned to ensure that it never happens again? Mr COURT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) The first part of the member’s question referred to a legal opinion. It is just that - an opinion. Mr McGinty: One the most eminent in the State. Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
(1) Does the Premier find it acceptable that an ACC officer destroyed crucial evidence? (2) Does the Premier find it acceptable that the ACC withheld relevant evidence from the Director of Public Prosecutions? (3) What action has the Premier taken to deal with the people concerned to ensure that it never happens again? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(3) The first part of the member’s question referred to a legal opinion. It is just that - an opinion. Mr McGinty: One the most eminent in the State. Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
(2) Does the Premier find it acceptable that the ACC withheld relevant evidence from the Director of Public Prosecutions? (3) What action has the Premier taken to deal with the people concerned to ensure that it never happens again? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(3) The first part of the member’s question referred to a legal opinion. It is just that - an opinion. Mr McGinty: One the most eminent in the State. Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
(3) What action has the Premier taken to deal with the people concerned to ensure that it never happens again? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(3) The first part of the member’s question referred to a legal opinion. It is just that - an opinion. Mr McGinty: One the most eminent in the State. Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
Mr COURT replied: (1)-(3) The first part of the member’s question referred to a legal opinion. It is just that - an opinion. Mr McGinty: One the most eminent in the State. Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
(1)-(3) The first part of the member’s question referred to a legal opinion. It is just that - an opinion. Mr McGinty: One the most eminent in the State. Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
Mr McGinty: One the most eminent in the State. Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
(1) Does the Premier find it acceptable that an ACC officer destroyed crucial evidence? (2) Does the Premier find it acceptable that the ACC withheld relevant evidence from the Director of Public Prosecutions? (3) What action has the Premier taken to deal with the people concerned to ensure that it never happens again? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(3) The first part of the member’s question referred to a legal opinion. It is just that - an opinion. Mr McGinty: One the most eminent in the State. Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
(2) Does the Premier find it acceptable that the ACC withheld relevant evidence from the Director of Public Prosecutions? (3) What action has the Premier taken to deal with the people concerned to ensure that it never happens again? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(3) The first part of the member’s question referred to a legal opinion. It is just that - an opinion. Mr McGinty: One the most eminent in the State. Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
(3) What action has the Premier taken to deal with the people concerned to ensure that it never happens again? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(3) The first part of the member’s question referred to a legal opinion. It is just that - an opinion. Mr McGinty: One the most eminent in the State. Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
Mr COURT replied: (1)-(3) The first part of the member’s question referred to a legal opinion. It is just that - an opinion. Mr McGinty: One the most eminent in the State. Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
(1)-(3) The first part of the member’s question referred to a legal opinion. It is just that - an opinion. Mr McGinty: One the most eminent in the State. Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
Mr McGinty: One the most eminent in the State. Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
Mr COURT: He is a very eminent Queen’s counsel. When that information was brought to my attention in Parliament by the member for Fremantle, I immediately forwarded it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and asked it for a response. Also, the Attorney General forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking a response. I hoped to have the responses by question time today. I do not have them. However, I am prepared to give those responses in Parliament this afternoon when they arrive. I regard this as a very serious issue. A legal opinion has been given. I am not privy to what happens in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office or the ACC, which are both independent bodies. I will see the responses and if further action is required, I will take it. Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
Interestingly, I recall in Parliament the comments of the member for Fremantle after the Select Committee into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 chaired by the member for Joondalup completed its inquiry. The member for Fremantle ran around with a list of 12 corrupt police officers and demanded that those matters be looked into. The Anti-Corruption Commission looked at allegations made against the police, and this matter ended up in an open court. I thought the member would be supportive. If allegations are made, the ACC investigates and the matter ends up in an open court, I would have thought it fulfils all the requirements espoused by the member for Fremantle a few years ago.
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