The 2021-22 Annual Report of the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) has reported that more than 7,000 allegations of serious misconduct were assessed during the year, down just 2.5 per cent on the previous year’s record.
More than half of the allegations came from the community, “demonstrating an encouraging level of awareness and ongoing confidence in the work of the Corruption and Crime Commission”, the report says.
“Some 18.7 per cent of allegations were referred back to the appropriate public authority for action, with Commission oversight of their investigations and follow-up reforms,” it says.
“The Commission took no further action on 64 per cent of allegations, and just over 16 per cent of allegations were out of the Commission’s jurisdiction.”
The report says that as had been the case previously, the WA Police Force was the subject of more than half of all allegations assessed by the Commission.
“During the year, the Commission commenced 57 investigations and completed 21 investigations,” it said.
“Due to the nature of corruption and the increasing sophistication of some people seeking to elude the authorities, a number of the Commission’s investigations are complex and lengthy — none more so than those relating to the Commission’s work in fighting organised crime.”
Key highlights of the year included finalising an investigation into the former Assistant Director General of the Department of Communities (who was sentenced in November 2021 to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to more than 550 criminal charges).
An investigation was also completed into the theft of more than $54,000 by the former Chief Executive of the Shire of Ravensthorpe (who was sentenced to one year of imprisonment in August 2022); and biosecurity misconduct at Murdoch University.
The Commission’s 87-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
