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Chapter 1

Introduction

Background to the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity

1.1        The Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI) was established by the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Act 2006 (LEIC Act). The LEIC Act commenced operation on 30 December 2006.

1.2        The Act established a new Office of Integrity Commissioner, supported by a statutory agency, ACLEI.

1.3        The main purpose of ACLEI is to 'enhance the integrity of Commonwealth law enforcement agencies by providing independent and effective external investigation of possible instances of corruption' in those agencies.[1]

1.4        ACLEI's role is 'to detect, investigate and prevent corruption in law enforcement agencies'. The Australian Government agencies that currently fall within its jurisdiction are the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP). ACLEI also has jurisdiction over the National Crime Authority (NCA), which was the forerunner to the ACC. Other agencies with law enforcement function are able to be brought within ACLEI's jurisdiction by regulation.[2]

1.5        As a result of this committee's recommendation in relation to its inquiry into the operation of the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Act 2006, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service was added to the jurisdiction of the Integrity Commissioner from 1 January 2011.[3]

Requirement for the examination of the annual reports of the Integrity Commissioner

1.6        Section 215(c) of the LEIC Act requires that the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (the committee) examine each annual report of the Integrity Commissioner and 'report to the Parliament on any matter appearing in, or arising out of, any such annual report'.[4]

1.7        The committee is satisfied that ACLEI has complied with all annual reporting requirements. These requirements are set out in Appendix 1.

Tabling of the Annual Report of the Integrity Commissioner 2009–2010

1.8        The Report was tabled in the Senate and the House of Representatives on 27 October 2010, in accordance with section 201(1) of the LEIC Act.

Conduct of the inquiry

1.9        The committee held a public hearing to examine the report in Parliament House on 11 February 2010. The committee heard from a number of officers of ACLEI, including the Integrity Commissioner, Mr Phillip Moss.

Acknowledgements

1.10      The committee would like to thank all witnesses who gave their time to give evidence at the public hearing.

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