ICAC Oakden abuse investigation has interviewed 78 people, been sent more than 37,000 documents

DOZENS of witnesses have been interviewed and more than 200,000 pages of documentation obtained as the state’s anti-corruption watchdog works to finalise its Oakden report.

DOZENS of witnesses have been interviewed and more than 200,000 pages of documentation obtained as the state’s anti-corruption watchdog works to finalise its Oakden report.

In his first newsletter of the year, independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander has given a rare insight into the progress of an inquiry, which was triggered in the aftermath of a scathing report by former chief psychiatrist Aaron Groves.

Dr Groves’ report, released last year, found a culture of cover-up at the aged-care facility and led the State Government to shut down a facility where it was alleged patients were abused.

Mr Lander launched his inquiry in May last year, after telling a Parliamentary Committee that it appeared no one was taking ultimate responsibility for the failure.

He hoped to have the inquiry finished within six months, but says the scale of the task has created delays.

In the newsletter, the ICAC says Mr Lander has issued 13 summonses seeking relevant paperwork, and received more than 37,000 documents comprising 200,000 to 300,000 pages.

Mr Lander says “there have been a number of delays in relation to the provision of these documents” and that is a “matter to be addressed” in his final Oakden inquiry report.

Fifty-one people have been interviewed by the ICAC, and the evidence of 27 others taken in way of formal hearings.

Mr Lander says he will not rush the inquiry despite high public interest, raising doubts about whether it will be released before the March 17 state election.

Procedural fairness will be accorded to parties with a sufficient interest in the finding, he said.

Opposition Deputy Leader Vickie Chapman said the inquiry should have been held in public, but was a secret hearing because Labor and independent MPs voted to make it so.

“South Australians are sick of the secrecy and deceptive behaviour that have become the hallmarks of the toxic Weatherill Labor Government,” she said.

“I welcome Commissioner Lander’s update and look forward to reading the findings of his investigation.”

In May last year, Mr Weatherill said he would “look forward” to Mr Lander’s final report. He said open hearings would lead to “chaos” and “not consistent with good government”.

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