Establishing the Crime and Corruption Commission: The reformation of Queensland's premier crime-fighting agency

Abstract

On 1 July 2014, the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) commenced operations in Queensland following the passing of the Crime and Misconduct and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014. After its resounding election win in March 2012, the new Liberal National Party government ordered a review of earlier legislation, the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001. The findings of that review, the Callinan–Aroney report, aroused considerable controversy which was exacerbated in late 2013 when the government discharged members of the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee, the non-partisan oversight body for the Crime and Misconduct Commission, forerunner to the CCC. These agencies stemmed from the recommendations of the 1987–1989 Inquiry into crime and corruption in the State by G.E. Fitzgerald. This article includes a literature review that examines the implementation of the Fitzgerald reforms and then assesses the Callinan–Aroney report. Both that report and the subsequent Bill generated public discussion and comments, including submissions from Fitzgerald, past CMC chairpersons and commissioners, legal associations, academics and others. Many contended that while the government's stated intention was to improve effectiveness in combatting illegality, the legislation would effectively obliterate the reforms that had curbed corruption, criminality and abuse of power in the State since the 1980s.