Committee on the Independent Commission Against Corruption

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REVIEW OF THE 2013-2014 ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE ICAC AND THE INSPECTOR OF THE ICAC TRANSCRIPT OF EVIDENCE Mr LEVINE: Well, it is capable of being investigated. I am not prepared to undertake it. It would be a waste of time for me to constitute myself as a quasi royal commission and invite journalists to come along and ask them, "Where did you get it?"—I know what the response would be—or to invite members of commission staff or officers of commissions to say, "Did you give X to Y?" But I think allegations of leaks is a fact of bureaucratic and political life in this State—allegations of leaks. The reality of it or the extent of it is something I do not know. From my own professional experience over the past 40-odd years, I have some acquaintance with what I have been calling the futility of trying to chase that hare. CHAIR: Thank you. The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: Inspector, I note in your report there was the period between 1 October 2013 and 9 February 2014 when the office of Inspector General was vacant and that there were 16 complaints received during that time, some of which could not be assessed. Have you received any complaints with regards to interactions between the previous Premier, his staff or any other Ministers and the Independent Commission Against Corruption [ICAC] Commissioner acting in his independent role? Mr LEVINE: The answer to that question is I have received communications which raised that issue. I have not assessed them as complaints yet falling within my jurisdiction, but certainly I have received communications. The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: How did it arise that there was a vacuum period from October 2013 to February 2014 when there was no inspector? Mr LEVINE: My predecessor's term ended and there was no appointment made until I was appointed four months later. The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: As to the 16 complaints received during that period, in your submission you state that people were given impressions, because statements were taken, about what action would happen. Mr LEVINE: Could you tell me from which report? My last annual report? The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: I have the 2013-14 report. During the vacuum period, "complaints were received and they were assessed by persons whose functions did not include taking such a step". Mr LEVINE: Yes. The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: What happened to those complaints? Mr LEVINE: They have been dealt with. The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: They have been dealt with? Mr LEVINE: Yes. The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: And they have all been assessed? MARCH 2016 33
COMMITTEE ON THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION TRANSCRIPT OF EVIDENCE Mr LEVINE: Yes. The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: And the impressions that people were given? CHAIR: I do not know if he can answer that. The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: The report states, "Complainants were interviewed and statements were made to the complainants relating to whether or not the subject of their complaints fell within or without the jurisdiction of the Inspector"? Mr LEVINE: If you are asking me the outcome of those complaints I cannot tell you because I do not have— The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: That is okay. Mr LEVINE: Each complainant that was contactable, and I say that advisedly, received a communication from me and I think in each case the outcome was that my jurisdiction had not been activated by the complaint. The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: I think we ask you this question every year, but I will ask it again. Do you have sufficient resources to run an inquiry in line with your powers as defined by the Act? Mr LEVINE: If you could remind me of every answer I have given each year— The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: I think you always say you would like more money. Mr LEVINE: The answer is, presently, yes. That is the first part of the answer. Second, I have an assurance that further resources will be made available to me, if required. Third, the circumstances of "if required" is often very difficult to determine. The reporting year that ended on 30 June was extraordinary compared to every other year that preceded it. I have had some increases in resources that will accommodate my needs. There are outstanding matters beyond my control and indeed beyond the control of the commission that may or may not affect my need for resources. The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: You also now have two roles. You are combined Inspector for the Police Integrity Commission [PIC] as well? Mr LEVINE: Yes. The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: How is that functioning in respect of your roles? Mr LEVINE: Comfortably. CHAIR: You made an observation that you would benefit from having an assistant inspector. Mr LEVINE: Yes. CHAIR: Is that a position you would still advocate to? 34 REPORT 1/56
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Committee on the Independent Commission Against Corruption

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