Thursday, 22 February 2024

Police conduct

Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (12:28): (437) My question is to the Attorney-General. In a recent Children’s Court judgement, CDPP v. Carrick, egregious actions taken by a joint taskforce involving members of the AFP and Victoria Police in relation to the radicalisation of a 13-year-old Victorian boy with autism were laid out in clear and shocking detail by the magistrate. I have already written to the Minister for Police to ask that an independent review into the actions of Victoria Police in this matter be undertaken as a matter of urgency. Attorney, have you requested a briefing from the relevant agencies about what action is being taken to investigate police conduct in relation to this incident, and do you have confidence in those processes?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:29): I thank Ms Copsey for her question. My information in relation to that matter is that Victoria Police responded appropriately and that concerns are perhaps directed at other agencies as opposed to Victoria Police, but as I am not the Minister for Police, I am not in a position to comment further in relation to those specifics. The information I have is that they responded appropriately and that there have been concerns raised about other actions, but I do understand that that is the subject of a current investigation, so it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comments in relation to that other than the acknowledgement of the existence of such an investigation.

Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (12:30): Thank you, Attorney, for the answer. There have been reports and observations as part of the judgement that it was completely incompatible for the therapeutic model that was being pursued to continue whilst the joint operation had commenced, so I remain concerned about the actions in this matter.

On my supplementary question, we obviously have an inadequate system of police oversight at present in this state. In the current system of Victorian oversight IBAC has the capacity to investigate complaints; however, only around 2 per cent of these are investigated by IBAC, and past commissioners have admitted that even with more funding IBAC could only investigate up to 5 per cent of complaints about police. Yoorrook recommended an independent police oversight authority. Attorney, will you ensure that a police oversight reform you bring will include an independent and fully resourced police ombudsman?

The PRESIDENT: There is a concern for me about the supplementary being relative to the substantive and also about whether it comes under this minister’s administration.

Katherine COPSEY: On a point of order, President, just on the matter you are considering, both of these questions relate to police conduct and oversight.

The PRESIDENT: I will let the minister answer as she sees fit, but it is one of those ones again where – and it might be a Procedure Committee conversation too – supplementary questions where the minister has only got a minute make it very difficult.

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:32): I thank Ms Copsey for her question, and perhaps it would have been better for it to have been her first question. The first question was in relation to a specific matter, and I have explained that due to that being investigated it would be inappropriate for me to comment. Your next question is a very large question about an overarching statement that you made about your views on police oversight. I am very much on the record on this. I have been looking at police oversight for many years, and I look forward to updating the house as we progress those reforms as they are developed. I would encourage you to read my transcript at Yoorrook. This is a topic that lots of stakeholders have lots of views on, and I will continue those conversations.