[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Legal Questions Over Police Commissioner Appointment_N McKim MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

PREMIER SHOULD SEEK LEGAL ADVICE ON POLICE COMMISSIONER APPOINTMENT

Nick McKim MP
Greens Opposition Leader

Friday, 17 October 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today said that Premier David Bartlett should seek
legal advice on whether his appointment of Richard McCreadie as Acting
Police Commissioner is in breach of Section 9 (3) of the Police Service
Act 2003.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that the intent of the Act is clearly
that the Deputy Commissioner should act as Commissioner during any
absence of the Commissioner or any vacancy in the office of the
Commissioner, and on that basis Deputy Commissioner Darren Hine should
have remained as Acting Commissioner in accordance with the wishes of
the Police Association.

"Mr Bartlett's decision to appoint Mr McCreadie not only failed to
follow due process, and risks destabilising Tasmania Police, but may in
fact be on shaky legal ground."

"Mr Bartlett should immediately seek and release legal advice on whether
his appointment is in breach of the Act, and if so, what his options are
to remedy the situation."

"Mr Bartlett has so far failed to explain exactly why Mr McCreadie was
appointed over Mr Hine, and why he made a choice that he knew would
destabilise Tasmania Police."




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