ICAC commissioner Bruce Lander will not finish report into abuse at the Oakden aged care centre before end of year

THE state’s anti-corruption watchdog will not finish his investigation into abuse at the Oakden aged care home before the end of the year.

THE state’s anti-corruption watchdog will not finish his investigation into abuse at the Oakden aged care home before the end of the year.

Independent Commissioner Against Corruption commissioner Bruce Lander told a parliamentary committee that delays in obtaining documents and huge volumes of relevant information have pushed out his deadline.

Mr Lander had said in May that he hoped to complete the investigation within six months, meaning it should have been delivered by next month.

The delay raises concerns that the final Oakden report may not be made public before voters go to the polls for the state election on March 17 next year.

Independent Commissioner Against Corruption commissioner Bruce Lander at Parliament House during a crime and public integrity committee hearing. David Mariuz/AAP

The state’s former Chief Psychiatrist found evidence of systemic mistreatment of elderly residents at the Oakden Older Persons Mental Health Facility earlier this year.

Cases of abuse at the home, which has since been closed, prompted investigations by Mr Lander and a review of aged care services by the Federal Government.

Mr Lander told Parliament’s Crime and Public Integrity Committee on Monday that his inquiries into Oakden had so far generated 37,000-plus documents, running to almost 300,000 pages.

As part of the investigation into any maladministration or misconduct at Oakden, the ICAC has interviewed 30 people and held eight formal hearings.

A further eight people are to be interviewed and another 17 formal hearings are planned.

Mr Lander conceded it was “unfortunate and regrettable” that it would take longer than anticipated to complete the inquiry.

“Suffice it to say, both the volume of the material and the time taken to receive it has exceeded my initial expectations,” he said.

“I appreciate that there is a great deal of interest in the outcome of my investigation, but I will not rush my investigation.”

Mr Lander gave no indication of when he may complete his inquiry but said it would be done “as soon as possible”.

Barb Spriggs, whose husband Bob died after alleged mistreatment at Oakden, said she was “disappointed” to hear of the delay because “everybody is waiting for answers”.

“But I guess in the big picture if it’s going to take longer that’s better if it means we can get to the bottom of it and the truth comes out,” she said.

Clive and Barb Spriggs with a photo of father and husband Bob Spriggs who died after alleged mistreatment at Oakden. Picture: Matt Loxton

Mrs Spriggs was concerned by the apparent obstacles Mr Lander faced in obtaining some documents he requested.

“Somewhere along the line people are holding information back and that makes you wonder why,” she said.

She hoped the report would be finalised before the election so people could consider the findings before casting their vote.

“It’s very frustrating but we want to get this right,” Mrs Spriggs said.