Chris Hayes (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to speak without closing the debate.

Leave granted.

I am pleased to table the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Crime Commission report on the Australian Crime Commission’s annual report for 2008-09. Under section 55(1)(c) of the Crime Commission Act 2002 the committee is statutorily required to report on the annual report of the Crime Commission, and that is what this document does. The committee is pleased to report that the Australian Crime Commission has continued to deliver efficient criminal intelligence and operational services during the past financial year. For example, during 2008-09 the ACC disseminated nearly 6,000 items of intelligence and other products to partner agencies, an increase from approximately 4,000 items in the previous year. In addition, the ACC produced more strategic intelligence reports and more operational intelligence reports in 2008-09 than in the previous financial year. What is more, the commission has continued to refine and improve its intelligence and information systems and services, which are well received by client agencies of the commission. This affects the ability of the commission to appropriately target the dynamics and changing nature of criminal activities throughout Australia. The commission has significantly disrupted and deterred serious organised criminal activity. It conducted six intelligence operations, six special investigations and two task forces over 2008-09.

The ACC recorded a surplus of $8.176 million in 2008-09. The annual report states these savings arose from a rationalisation of ACC accommodation across the country, IT initiatives including contract renegotiations and a general reduction in contractors, a reduction in staff, vehicle fleet optimisation and reductions in spending on overseas travel and capital purchases.

While the committee generally welcomes these efficiencies, one issue of concern is the continuing downward trend in staffing numbers of the commission which began several years ago and resulted in a decline in staff numbers in 2008-09 from 573 down to 518. The committee also knows that the number of seconded staff from state and territory police services also fell during this period, from 103 down to 74. This is something the committee feels strongly about, and the committee would like the Australian Crime Commission to encourage and increase secondments from state and territory police forces into the future. We note that the chief executive, Mr Lawler, has cited ‘effective collaboration’ as an important aspect of the Australian Crime Commission’s success, and the committee believes that secondments are to be encouraged on the basis that they provide enhanced intelligence-sharing and jurisdictional cooperation, and build a skills base both in the ACC and in the participating state and territory police jurisdictions which we believe will have a far-reaching impact in terms of law enforcement into the future.

The committee believes the effectiveness of the Australian Crime Commission board has been improved through the implementation of the committee’s previous recommendation to include on the board the Commissioner of Taxation. While the board has functioned effectively, the amount of work requiring financial expertise and ATO cooperation made the commissioner’s appointment a sensible one, and the committee welcomes this change.

Having conducted a thorough inquiry, the committee notes the high quality of and compliance with the annual reporting requirements and also notes the dedication of the people working for the Australian Crime Commission. It is apparent that the commission has worked in an effective and a professional manner with all oversight bodies, including all other participating law enforcement agencies. The committee would like to thank Mr John Lawler and all his officers at the Australian Crime Commission for their contribution to this inquiry and their ongoing professionalism in the way they discharge their duties. The committee looks forward to continuing a very productive working relationship with the Australian Crime Commission.

Before concluding, I think it is appropriate to acknowledge the committee secretariat for the work that they have performed so admirably in servicing this particular committee. I would like to acknowledge Mr Tim Watling, the secretary, and Dr Robin Clough, Dr Timothy Kendall, Ms Danielle Oldfield and Ms Victoria Robinson-Conlon. They have played a significant role, streamlining the activities of our committee and, quite frankly—with due respect to other committee members present—making the work of the committee enjoyable and probably making us look a little bit more efficient than we truly are.

It is also appropriate, whilst welcoming Mr Watling, who took on his role as secretary of this committee only recently, to place on record some comments about Dr Jacqui Dewar, who served the Australian Crime Commission joint parliamentary committee and made a significant contribution to the work. We wish her well in her retirement in Queensland. Since I am joined by one of my colleagues from the committee, Mr Jason Wood, formerly deputy chair of the committee –

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