| New South Wales Crime Commission | |
| Common name | NSW Crime Commission |
| Abbreviation | NSWCC |
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| Logo of the New South Wales Crime Commission. | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 20 January, 1986 |
| Preceding agency | State Drug Crime Commission |
| Employees | 150 |
| Annual budget | $16,000,000 |
| Legal personality | Governmental: Government agency |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction* | State of New South Wales, Australia |
| Constituting instrument | South Wales Crime Commission Act, 1985 / {{{4}}} (NSW) |
| General nature |
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| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | 453 - 463 Kent Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia |
| Minister responsible | Mike Gallacher, New South Wales Minister for Police |
| Agency executive | Peter Singleton, Acting Commissioner |
| Units |
2
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| Website | |
| http://www.crimecommission.nsw.gov.au | |
| Footnotes | |
| * Divisional agency: Division of the country, over which the agency has usual operational jurisdiction. | |
The New South Wales Crime Commission, a statutory corporation of the Government of New South Wales, is responsible for reducing the occurrence of illegal drug trafficking and organised crime in the state of New South Wales, Australia.
In more recent years, the commission has also taken on a charter of assisting with the investigation of terrorism related offences. However, it has become the subject of long-term controversy and concern over questionable covert operations, secrecy and absence of defined accountability, culminating in conviction of an assistant director for serious criminal activities. In August 2011 the NSW Government announced that a Special Commission of Inquiry would be conducted into the NSW Crime Commission. Headed by retired Supreme Court justice David Patten, the Inquiry handed its report to the Government on 30 November 2011; and its findings are yet to be made public.
Contents |
History [edit]
The commission was established pursuant to the Commission Act, 1985 / {{{4}}} (NSW ), initially the State Drug Crime Commission Act introduced by then state premier, Neville Wran[1] after a period of seminal Royal Commissions, including the Woodward Royal Commission (1977–1979) and the Costigan Royal Commission (1980–1984) into drug trafficking, organised crime and tax evasion.
The first chairman of the State Drug Crime Commission (SDCC) was Judge John Lloyd-Jones, who was replaced after only four weeks following objection by the legal fraternity to the principle of a judicial officer's presiding over an investigative body. Richard Job, QC succeeded Lloyd-Jones as chairman, and the SDCC sat as a management committee, led by Job together with Barry Thorley, a former judge, and a retired vice-admiral, David Leach.[1]
Phillip Bradley was appointed commissioner in 1989 and became chairman in 1983.[1] In the period leading up to the 2011 state election, the commission attracted significant public criticism over its practices.[1] In February 2011, Bradley launched legal action against the Police Integrity Commission (PIC) after it was revealed that the PIC planned to hold a public inquiry into the NSWCC. The nature of the investigations conducted by the PIC related to the way the NSW Crime Commission managed its asset-confiscation powers. PIC investigations revealed that the commission and lawyers acting for alleged and convicted criminals negotiated legal costs, sometimes in an extremely short timeframe.[2] To defend its position, the commission took the matter to the Supreme Court,[3] The controversy expanded as the commission was accused of undermining free speech by demanding records and phones from Fairfax journalists.[4][5] With the matter still before the court, on 6 May 2011 the New South Wales Government extended the employment contract of Bradley for a further six months.[6][7] On 17 May 2011, The court dismissed the commission's application, giving the go-ahead to the Police Integrity Commission to conduct a public inquiry into whether the Crime Commission acted outside the laws that govern the confiscation of criminal proceeds, and whether it had abused some of the processes of the court.[8][9][10]
Criminal activity of assistant director [edit]
On 11 August 2011, after a five-month trial, a NSW Supreme Court jury found former NSWCC assistant director Mark Standen guilty of conspiring to import and supply 300 kilograms of pseudoephedrine, a chemical that could produce A$60 million worth of "ice", or crystal methamphetamine. He was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice.[11][12] In a 30-year career, Standen had risen to prominence in the perceived fight against organised crime in New South Wales, trusted[citation needed] by ministers and police commissioners. He was arrested by the Australian Federal Police on 2 June 2008[13] after intensive surveillance and investigation. Handing down the sentence on 8 December 2011, Justice Bruce James stated that Standen had shown no remorse during criminal proceedings[14] and sentenced Standen to a maximum term of 22-years in custody. Standen may be eligible for early release on parole by 1 June 2024.[15]
Patten Report [edit]
On the same day of Standen's conviction, the NSW Government announced that a Special Commission of Inquiry would be conducted into the affairs of the NSWCC.[11] Handing his report to the NSW Government on 30 November 2011, it was reported that the Special Commissioner, retired Supreme Court justice David Patten, recommended sweeping changes to the NSWCC including to its governance structure, legislation, management of informants, complaint handling, auditing and oversight.[16] The NSW Government is yet to officially comment on the report.[17]
Governance [edit]
The Board of the New South Wales Crime Commission consists of:[1]
- the Minister for Police, presently Mike Gallacher
- the Commissioner of NSW Police, presently Andrew Scipione
- the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, presently Tony Negus and
- the Commissioner of the New South Wales Crime Commission, presently Peter Singleton (in an acting capacity)
Operations [edit]
The New South Wales Crime Commission works closely with the NSW Police Force.
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ a b c d e Besser, Linton; Welch, Dylan (12 February 2011). "The commission that is a law unto itself". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ Besser, Linton (14 February 2011). "Seized criminal assets go on legal costs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ Jacobsen, Geesche (23 February 2011). "Anti-crime bodies at war over inquiry". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "NSW Crime Commission demands Fairfax phones". ABC News (Australia). 18 February 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "Protection for journalists" (transcript). Media Watch (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 11 April 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ Welch, Dylan; Besser, Linton (6 May 2011). "Six more months for secret crime body's boss". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "NSW Crime Commission boss to step down". ABC News (Australia). 6 May 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ Davies, Lisa (18 May 2011). "NSW Crime Commission laid bare in new PIC inquiry". The Daily Telegraph (Australia). Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ Besser, Linton; Welch, Dylan (18 May 2011). "Secretive crime commission to be called to account". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ Griffiths, Meredith (18 May 2011). "NSW Crime Commission to face inquiry". PM (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ a b Minus, Jodie (11 August 2011). "Inquiry to follow Crime Commission director's $120m drug bust". The Australian. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
- ^ Wilkinson, Marian (15 August 2011). "Standen: The Inside Man". Four Corners (Austrlian Broadcasting Corporation).
- ^ Davies, Lisa (11 August 2011). "Top cop Mark Standen found guilty". Daily Telegraph (Australia).
- ^ McClymont, Kate (8 December 2011). "Downfall of a top crime fighter: Standen gets 22 years for drug plot". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
- ^ "Former top cop jailed for drugs". Daily Telegraph (Australia). 8 December 2011.
- ^ Besser, Linton; Welch, Dylan (1 December 2011). "Crime Commission deals 'may have been unlawful'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
- ^ "Patten Report into NSW Crime Commission". NSW Government. 30 November 2011.
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