The following is a statement from the Chief Commissioner of the Integrity Commission, Greg Melick AO SC:
The Integrity Commission was established to prevent and investigate misconduct in Tasmanian public sector institutions, including Tasmania Police. The conduct outlined in the Weiss Review undermines public trust in public office. It is illustrative of abuse of power and position.
Chief Commissioner Greg Melick acknowledges the Weiss Review’s recommendation about the Integrity Commission and the decision by Tasmania Police to proactively provide us with investigation files that relate to sexual abuse by police officers for oversight purposes.
“It is important work that must be done,” Chief Commissioner Melick said.
“We strive within our current resourcing to do the best we can do. However, on our current budget, we cannot provide the level of investigation or oversight that the report recommends.”
“Ms Weiss has recommended we be given a range of powers, some of which we already possess. Importantly, we barely have the resources to exercise our existing powers as envisaged and expected by the Tasmanian Parliament and the public.
“We have the equivalent of less than 5 full-time employees in our Complaints and Oversight teams combined. As skilled and motivated as our staff are, it is not possible within our current resourcing to thoroughly oversight the some 40,000 or so public sector workers in Tasmania, including the over 1,400 police officers.”
The Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings also recommended enhanced oversight of public sector institutions by the Integrity Commission.
Ends.
Media release by Greg Melick AO SC Chief Commissioner