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Chapter 1 - Introduction

The committee's statutory duty

1.1        The Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Crime Commission (the Committee) has a statutory duty under paragraph 55(1)(c) of the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 (the Act) to examine each annual report of the Australian Crime Commission (ACC), and report to the Parliament on any matter appearing in, or arising out of, any such annual report.

1.2        This is part of the Committee's wider duties under paragraphs 55(1)(a) and (b) of the Act to monitor, review and report upon the ACC's performance of its statutory functions.

Report under consideration

1.3        The ACC Annual Report 2006-07 (the Report) was presented out of sitting on 15 January 2008 in the Senate, and was tabled in the House of Representatives on 13 February 2008. The tabling was conducted in accordance with subsection 61(6) of the Act.

Inquiry into the Report

1.4        In examining the Report, the Committee held a public hearing at Parliament House, Canberra on 9 April 2008. The witnesses who appeared before the Committee are listed in Appendix 1.

Acknowledgements

1.5        The Committee acknowledges the cooperation of the ACC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alastair Milroy, and other officers of the Commission. Throughout 2006-07, the ACC has provided the Committee with monthly written reports and regular briefings, and has assisted the Committee with its various inquiries. The willingness of the ACC to assist the Committee in a timely and comprehensive manner is much appreciated.

1.6        The Committee also acknowledges the cooperation of the Chairman of the ACC Board, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty, ACC Board member, the ACT Chief Police Officer, Assistant Commissioner Michael Phelan, and Assistant Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg. All have made themselves readily available to the Committee, and their knowledge, experience and expertise was most useful.

1.7        Finally, the Committee wishes to thank the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan, and his staff for privately briefing the Committee in accordance with section 55AA of the Act, and Mr John McFarlane from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Their evidence was insightful and much valued.

Adoption and tabling of the Report

1.8        The Committee adopted its report at a private meeting on 16 June 2008. The report was tabled in the Senate on 18 June 2008 by the chair, Senator Steven Hutchins, and in the House of Representatives by the deputy chair, Mr Jason Wood.

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