Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Hansard source

I will give a brief speech in reply on the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Bill 2006 and cognate bills, and that will shorten anything I have to say in the committee stage. Firstly, I thank senators for their contributions to this debate. The government introduced this legislation in late March, and the bills were referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee for examination and report. The committee’s report was tabled on 11 May this year and the committee was called upon to report on these bills in what was a short time frame. The committee has done a very good job, and I want to express the government’s appreciation for the way the committee has handled this. There has been a range of submissions by interested parties, which have been taken into account by the committee. The government has accepted the vast majority of the Senate committee’s recommendations, and the necessary amendments in relation to these recommendations were dealt with in the other place.

I wish to make a few brief points about these bills. Firstly, the law enforcement reform package reflects the government’s desire to ensure that Australian government law enforcement is characterised by the highest standards of conduct. The package comprises two main components: the establishment of the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity—commonly known as ACLEI—headed by the integrity commissioner, and the reform of the complaints and professional standards regime of the Australian Federal Police. The government has taken this initiative in the absence of any major concerns about corruption in Australian government law enforcement. The integrity commissioner will operate independently but will be subject to oversight by the minister, a joint parliamentary committee and the Commonwealth Ombudsman. The Ombudsman will still have jurisdiction over the AFP and the ACC for matters other than corruption issues. Together, the integrity commissioner and the Ombudsman, with their complementary approaches, will provide the Australian public with a guarantee that the conduct of the key Australian law enforcement agencies are subject to comprehensive external review.

The Law Enforcement (AFP Professional Standards and Related Measures) Bill 2006 will modernise the complaints and professional standards regime for the Australian Federal Police. It largely gives effect to the government’s response to the recommendations made by the Hon. William Fisher in his review of the Australian Federal Police complaints and professional standards regime. The new system it creates is consistent with modern management practices and the organisational needs of the AFP, with an emphasis on dealing with issues quickly, constructively and, where possible, locally. The Australian Federal Police Association has been consulted on this legislation. As a result of these consultations, I am aware that the association is seeking a more extensive external independent review of serious conduct issues. The legislation as currently drafted maintains the current arrangements, including external review in the case of termination. Given that the current arrangements are maintained, I do not plan to hold up the bill. I will, however, give further consideration to the association’s submission in due course.

These bills have required a good deal of consultation, particularly with the states and territories. The 2004 election interrupted progress, of course. However, this legislation has always remained a priority for the Howard government. These bills are the culmination of a large amount of work in relation to what is a very important area of the law. These bills are, indeed, groundbreaking in providing for law enforcement integrity. I commend these bills to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bills read a second time.