The Andrews Labor Government welcomes the Final Report of the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants released today and remains committed to implementing all recommendations.
The Royal Commission was established in December 2018 to investigate matters that go to the heart of Victoria's justice system and how police use informers with confidentiality obligations.
The Commission's extensive and detailed inquiry has uncovered significant historical shortfalls in the criminal justice system. The Government will now work to address those shortfalls to ensure that this can never happen again.
Today marks an important step forward to strengthen and restore public confidence in our justice system - and these findings and recommendations will serve as a blueprint to deliver strong reforms.
The Government will work closely with key agencies and institutions, including Victoria Police and the courts, to make sure these recommendations are delivered effectively and in a timely manner.
The Commission has recommended that an Implementation Taskforce and Implementation Monitor be appointed to oversee the implementation of all recommendations. Given the importance of this oversight, the Government intends to have this appointment made as soon as possible and will commence recruitment for this position immediately.
The Commissioner has also recommended a Special Investigator be established - and where criminal conduct or police misconduct may have occurred, the Government will ensure it is thoroughly investigated.
Legislation establishing the Special Investigator will be introduced as soon as possible, with the expectation that investigations will commence as soon as legislation passes through parliament and work can commence. The Government will also work to implement other necessary priority reforms, including via legislation, in 2021.
The Government is also considering all options to strengthen the external oversight of police misconduct and will release a detailed response and implementation plan for both the Commission's recommendations and the 2018 IBAC Committee inquiry into the external oversight of police corruption and misconduct in Victoria in the first quarter of 2021.
The Government thanks the Commissioner, her team of Counsel Assisting, and all those who worked on the Commission for their time and expertise.
As stated by Attorney-General Jill Hennessy
"The Commission's findings are serious and significant and individuals and organisations must be held accountable."
"We've already taken action to make appeal proceedings more efficient and transparent, allowing for further appeals if new evidence emerges showing a substantial miscarriage of justice - and if we need to go further, we will."
"There is still a long and challenging road ahead, but we will do whatever it takes to restore confidence in our justice system."
