Police conduct
Dr RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (12:03): My question is to the Attorney-General. Last week IBAC released a very troubling report into Victoria Police and their handling of complaints made by First Nations people. The report found that 41 per cent of complaints audited contained indicators of bias on the part of investigators and 42 per cent contained deficiencies in managing conflicts of interest. This is particularly of concern given only 2 per cent of complaints against police are handled by IBAC, with 98 per cent handled internally by Victoria Police. This report also comes after repeated calls from First Nations justice groups and human rights groups for police complaints to be handled independently of the police themselves. I understand there is a systemic review of police oversight underway. Attorney, given these recent IBAC findings add even more urgency to reform of police oversight, could you please provide an update to the house on this review and time frames for implementing reforms?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:04): Thank you for your question. It is an important issue that you talk about. I too meet with First Nations representatives on these issues regularly, and it is important to a range of people. It is therefore, as you would be aware, also a recommendation from the police informants royal commission, recommendation 61, in relation to responding to the recommendations for a systemic review.
An update that I can provide to you is that the review has been undertaking both targeted and public consultation processes to hear people’s lived experiences of the police complaints system and feedback on areas of reform. It has included 50 consultation meetings on six thematic issues papers developed by the review to explore issues in the current framework, and we have received about 100 public responses to date. Of course we have committed to a robust, transparent and effective police oversight system. We certainly want the highest standards of integrity within Victoria Police, and so of course do Victoria Police themselves.
In relation to the report last week, it will provide some additional valuable insights in line with the consultations that we are having. We have received a wide range of views in this. A lot of people are interested in coming forward, and I think this report has also generated a new interest in people wanting to be participating in the consultations. They are still ongoing and the reforms are still being developed, and we will continue to work with the stakeholders as raised directly through advocates to me but also through the Aboriginal Justice Forum.
Dr RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (12:06): Thank you, Attorney, for your answer, and I am pleased to hear that the reforms are underway. This government has invested in more police officers than New South Wales, despite having fewer people and less land area, and the government has committed to over 500 more police and 50 PSOs again in this year’s budget. But the number of incidents of serious misconduct, incompetence and cultural problems in Victoria Police has grown at a greater rate than recruitment. Can Victorians have confidence that the reforms being considered will lead to the Victoria Police having the highest standard of police force in the nation in terms of culture, integrity and diversity and not just the biggest force?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:07): I believe I addressed those issues in Dr Ratnam’s previous question. But, to repeat, this review and the people that have contributed to it are all working closely on this, particularly with Victoria Police. The integrity agencies are involved as well. Of course we want Victoria’s police oversight system to be strong and transparent and, importantly, to meet the diverse needs of our diverse community, and certainly that is the aim that we are working towards.