Hanlon review delay as ICAC Ann Vanstone uncovers new material

Ann Vanstone’s review of how her office handled the John Hanlon investigation has been delayed after she found new “material’’.

ICAC Ann Vanstone’s internal review of the John Hanlon investigation has been delayed after she uncovered “material’’ requiring an independent legal assessment.

Ms Vanstone has declined to reveal the nature of the material unearthed during her internal review or which independent solicitors and senior counsel she has engaged to examine it.

Ms Vanstone, who announced her review of the matter on November 10, said she had hoped to have it already completed.

“However, during the course of it material has been uncovered, which I have determined requires independent examination,’’ she said.

“I have discussed the ambit of my review and this new material in some depth with the

Commission Reviewer, the Hon. John Sulan KC. He has agreed with the course of action I

proposed.

“This development has necessarily delayed the completion of my review.’’

Former Renewal SA boss John Hanlon outside the District Court after the DPP withdrew all charges against him. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Attorney-General Kyam Maher last week annnouned that respected barrister Philip Strickland SC had been appointed the first ICAC Inspector and his first task would be to conduct a review of the failed ICAC prosecution of Mr Hanlon, the former chief executive of Renewal SA.

Mr Strickland will have the same powers as the independent Commissioner Against Corruption, allowing him to compel witnesses to answer questions and produce documents. The inquiry will examine the actions of ICAC investigators during the inquiry into Mr Hanlon and also the role prosecutors in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions played.

Last month, after 18 months of investigation and 32 months of court hearings, prosecutors withdrew their case against Mr Hanlon, 63, of Goodwood, accused of using taxpayers’ money to fund a personal trip to Germany for the birth of his grandchild.

Their case fell apart when ICAC investigators conceded in court they had breached international law. The court also was told ICAC had evidence supporting Mr Hanlon’s claims of innocence since August 2019, but had never disclosed it.

Philip Strickland SC, Picture Julianne Osborne

Ms Vanstone said she would brief him “in relation to all aspects of the Hanlon matter and do whatever I can to assist’’ him in his assessment of the investigation and prosecution of Mr Hanlon.

Ms Vanstone said she would not be making any further comment on the matter until both her review and Mr Strickland’s examination have been completed.