Queensland’s corruption watchdog is legally fighting a report to the state’s former public receiver in the High Court of Australia.
Key points:
- The CCC chairman said it was an integral role of the CCC to report the results and lessons learned from corruption investigations.
- Mr. Carne was investigated by the CCC in 2018, after “allegations of corrupt conduct” were made against him, including misuse of the resources of the Public Ombudsman’s Office.
- The CCC did not initiate any criminal proceedings against him before he resigned in 2020
Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) chairman Bruce Barbour confirmed the body will make an application for leave to appeal the case involving Peter Carne, which he described as having “very significant ramifications”.
The Queensland Court of Appeal decision, which was handed down earlier this month, will prevent a CCC report investigating allegations of corrupt conduct against Mr Carne from being released.
Barbour told a parliamentary committee today that the CCC had major concerns about the decision and there were risks it could affect the issuing of future reports.
“If Carne’s decision were to stand, there would certainly be concerns about what we might do in the future in terms of being open and transparent about our investigations,” he said.
“There are clearly very significant ramifications, and this decision is inconsistent with the way we and our predecessors have conducted business in the area of ​​corruption for a long time.
“That’s why it’s important that we seek a review.”
Barbour said it was an integral role of the CCC to report the results and lessons learned from corruption investigations.
“There is a very important trend, and with which we agree, in terms of more openness and transparency,” he said.
“So the idea that we would have a situation where our powers to publicly report on important issues would actually be reduced, would be inconsistent with that trend.
“And certainly inconsistent with what we believe is important to reduce the risk of corruption in the state.”
Mr. Carne was investigated by the CCC in 2018, after “allegations of corrupt conduct” were made against him, including misuse of the resources of the Public Ombudsman’s Office.
The CCC did not bring any criminal proceedings against Mr Carne, before he resigned as Queensland Public Administrator in 2020.
Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that a report detailing the original allegations could be made public through a parliamentary process.
Carne challenged the decision in the Court of Appeal claiming that he was denied procedural fairness and that publication of the report would breach his human rights.
Earlier this month, two out of three Court of Appeal judges agreed.
The CCC was ordered to pay its legal costs.
The ABC has contacted the lawyer of Mr. Meat for comments.