[Greens-Media] Major parties vote against inquiry into NSW Crime Commission

[Alison Orme]

MEDIA RELEASE - 9 May 2006

Major parties vote against inquiry into NSW Crimes Commission 

Greens MP and justice spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says the major
parties' refusal to vote for a parliamentary inquiry into the NSW
Crime Commission shows their distain for accountability and hypocrisy on
law and order issues.

"The Commission, with its extraordinary powers, answers only to the
Police Minister. It is time its shonky operations were scrutinised,"
Ms Rhiannon said.

"Former Reform the Legal Party MP Peter Breen supported an inquiry
before he defected to Labor on the weekend, describing the Commission as
'out of control' and its investigators as 'cowboys'. Today he
voted along party lines.
 
"This body has been without parliamentary oversight since it began
operating in 1986, unlike similar agencies such as the ICAC, the
Ombudsman, the Police Integrity Commission and the NSW Police.
 
"Under the leadership of Mr Philip Bradley the Crime Commission is
operating as a law unto itself, creating a thick file of questionable
practices.

"Last month we heard the Commission let six kilograms of cocaine be
'lost' on Sydney streets and its officers claim cocaine did not
endanger lives.

"The Commission has also been accused of handing over exorbitant
payments to informants, inappropriately confiscating assets and
wrongfully using listening devises. 

"The major parties are happy to beat the law and order drum but baulk
at introducing the accountability systems that are so clearly needed and
supported by bodies such as the NSW Law Society.

"The government should immediately move to allow regular scrutiny of
the Commission by a relevant parliamentary committee, such as the one
responsible for the Ombudsman and the Police Integrity Commission.

"The NSW Crime Commission has been doing shadowy work in a shadowy
world and it is time a light was shone on its operations," Ms Rhiannon
said.

More information:  9230 3551, 0427 861 568


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Tues, Wed)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au