Page 3109 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 20 September 1994
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Police Force - Alleged Assault
MR MOORE: My question is directed to Mr Connolly, the Attorney-General and the Minister in charge of police. You are aware that there has been a great deal of recent publicity regarding an alleged bashing by police of a young man while he was waiting in a taxi queue. Can you tell me what action has been taken in this case and where it is at?
MR CONNOLLY: Yes. I assume that Mr Moore is referring to the case that did receive some publicity. The formal complaint has been made by the young man concerned and, I believe, his father. He certainly corresponded with me and police, but it has been dealt with as a formal complaint. That means that the IID process is immediately cranked into gear. Complaints against the Australian Federal Police in Canberra are governed by the Federal legislation, the Complaints (Australian Federal Police) Act, which you will be familiar with and which is a law that is often seen in the States as a model for where police complaints should be. It is not without its problems, but it is far in advance of the position in most States.
I have expressed some frustration in the past, as has Philippa Smith, the Commonwealth Ombudsman, at the length of time that can sometimes be involved in these matters. I know that the Chief Police Officer - again, you must understand that IID operate purely at their own pace and do not obey directions of chief police officers in these matters - has urged them to proceed with this as quickly as possible, so that the matter can be dealt with as rapidly as possible while recollections and memories of the event are still fresh.
I believe that we do have a very rigorous arm's length process for investigating police complaints. It is sometimes suggested that there is a problem because police are investigating police. I do not think it would be sensible to set up a secondary investigation agency to do it, because I think the police IID are probably the best people to do it. We need to ensure that it is dealt with quickly. The Commonwealth Ombudsman has been working with IID at a very senior level to try to ensure that there is better cooperation and a more rapid processing of the complaint.
MR MOORE: I have a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Minister, do you think that this situation would be avoided if, for example, the police had more power such as move-on powers or something along those lines?
MR CONNOLLY: Madam Speaker, absolutely not. I think that has absolutely nothing to do with that matter.
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