The CMC is set to be rebranded following changes to Queensland Criminal Laws passed today, 19 March 2014. The Crime and Misconduct Act has been amended to rebrand the former Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) as the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), with an objective to focus on organised crime and corruption. The amendments will also see the introduction of a new administrative position of a CEO.
CCC, Crime and Corruption Commission CEO to be appointed.
Currently the CMC is headed by the Chairman of the CMC. This position is both administrative and investigative. In what is seen as a positive move a new role of Chief Executive Officer for the CCC – Crime and Corruption Commission will be created. The CEO will be responsible for the CCC’s administration, while the Chair will be able to concentrate on the investigative functions of the CCC.
Malicious Complaints
In what is said to be an effort to prevent baseless or malicious complaints, a statutory declaration will be required when a complaint is made.
The CCC can waive that requirement under exceptional circumstances (e.g. fear of retaliation or a complainant’s literacy level or English competency).
Changes
Other reforms include:
- Overhauling the complaints process to allow the CCC to focus on its core activities
- Empowering the Parliamentary Commissioner to investigate claims of misconduct within the CCC
- Requiring Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee (PCMC) hearings be open to the public, with appropriate exceptions to protect classified information or ongoing investigations
- Requiring consultation with the PCMC when appointing CCC Commissioners (including the Chair, CEO and other Commissioners), but not requiring consensus support.
Disclaimer
This website contains general information about legal matters. The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such. You must not rely on the information on this website as an alternative to legal advice from your lawyer or other professional legal services provider. You should never delay seeking legal advice, disregard legal advice, or commence or discontinue any legal action because of information on this website.
For specific legal advice you should immediately contact Gatenby Criminal Lawyers on (07) 5580 0120.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.