The McGowan Government has recommenced the nomination process to appoint a new corruption fighter to Western Australia's premier integrity agency.
The Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) has been without a Commissioner since April 2020 after the parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission failed to provide majority and bipartisan support for the five year reappointment of the then Commissioner John McKechnie QC.
The Government then introduced a Bill into the Parliament providing for the appointment of Mr McKechnie. That legislation was blocked by the Opposition.
The process for appointing a Corruption and Crime Commissioner is set down in the Corruption, Crime and Misconduct Act 2003. The first step is for the position to be advertised nationally, which starts today.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Today we begin the process of appointing a new CCC Commissioner.
"We have received advice that the best way forward to ensure the best corruption fighter is appointed to the role is to the start the process again.
"I am confident that the process will land on the best applicant."
As stated by Attorney General John Quigley:
"It was shocking that the Liberal Party blocked the re-appointment of Mr McKechnie QC - at a time when he was leading a number of important investigations.
"The Liberals stood on the side of corruption amidst a scandal involving members of their own party.
"While it's regrettable that we have to begin this process from scratch, it's vitally important that a new appointment is made expeditiously so that the important work of the CCC can continue."
