Former corruption fighter Tony Fitzgerald hands down a report from an inquiry into Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission, making 32 recommendations to bolster public confidence in the corruption watchdog.
Queensland's corruption watchdog needs to consult with the state's Director of Public Prosecutions before laying charges to avoid "unwarranted impact" of its investigations and rebuild public confidence, a new report has recommended.It identifies risks associated with the CCC employing former police as investigatorsIt is one of a string of recommendations from a Commission of Inquiry relating to the Crime and Corruption Commission .
The new inquiry made 32 recommendations about the CCC's structure and operation "that must be implemented collectively" to bolster public confidence."On the face of them, there is nothing here that I cannot see our government implementing," she said.The inquiry heard 87 submissions from stakeholders and members of the public including from the former chair of the CCC Alan MacSporran.
They highlight risks of "institutional capture" by the Queensland Police Service – in which the interests of the QPS are prioritised over the interests of the public – and a risk that corruption investigations might place an "undue emphasis on law enforcement". It also recommends creating a Corruption Strategy and Prevention Unit within the CCC, as well as a dedicated training and development officer.Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman has focused on another recommendation — amending the Crime and Corruption Act to make the CCC consult with the DPP before laying charges to ensure the charges can be properly brought to court.