Daniel Andrews’ former chief of staff among two new police assistant commissioners
Incoming Assistant Commissioner Brett Curran has denied knowing about the $2.8 million payment made to gangland snitch Nicola Gobbo despite being the chief Adviser to the then police minister.
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Incoming Assistant Commissioner Brett Curran has denied knowing about the $2.8 million payment made to gangland snitch Nicola Gobbo when he was chief Adviser to the then police minister.
Mr Curran today defended himself as bipartisan in response to criticism over his new top-ranking Victoria Police role.
He said he had no knowledge of the multimillion-dollar sum paid to Gobbo under the command of police minister Bob Cameron, prior to the 2010 state election.
“I don’t believe I was involved in that decision at all or had awareness that sign off had been made. I was aware of the litigation only because it was in the media,” he told 3AW.
“I have a pretty good memory and I am certain I would remember if I was involved in that decision and I do not remember being involved in it.
Mr Curran revealed he has provided a statement to the Lawyer X Royal Commission over his time in the police minister’s office.
He may also be required to give evidence to the commission.
Mr Curran said was aware Gobbo was a registered informer in 1999, when he was in charge of a crime squad.
However she was not informing on clients at that time, he said.
Mr Curran said he was no Labor “warrior” and has “always worked for the government of the day”.
“I have worked under both the coalition and the Labor government as a police officer and I would never impugn my integrity or breach that oath of office,” he said.
“I can see the perception of it (a conflict). The issue for me is to deal with any conflict of interest that exists and I have.
“I make it my absolute focus to act without fear or favour…. I have to be absolutely open to let people know I am acting appropriately, fairly and not favouring a political side.”
Mr Curran added he would remove himself from “even the most benign discussions” related to the Red Shirts investigation while acting as chief of staff to Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton to avoid claims of conflict.
“I didn’t want anyone to allege that I in any way influenced that investigation,” he said.
Mr Curran will take over as Assistant Commissioner for Gender Equality and Inclusion Command from Monday.
Mr Curran left the force in 2007 to work as the top adviser to then-police minister Bob Cameron.
He was in Mr Cameron’s office when the minister approved a $2.8 million taxpayer-funded payment to gangland lawyer-turned-police informer Nicola Gobbo, just before the 2010 state election.
Mr Curran then worked for Mr Andrews while Labor was in opposition, before he was controversially appointed chief of staff to Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton in 2015.
His promotion to the role was criticised at the time as a potential conflict within both Labor and Liberal ranks.
Mr Ashton on Monday said Mr Curran was an “outstanding police officer and leader” and would strive to create safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces in his new role.
“With 31 years at Victoria Police, he is one of our longest serving commanders, with a proven ability to work through complex matters with skill and sound judgment,” Mr Ashton said. “Over the past five years we have made great progress in driving cultural reforms across Victoria Police.
“But we know that an ongoing commitment is vital if we are to sustain the momentum, and I am confident that Brett will bring that focus and energy the organisation needs to deliver lasting change.”
Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien blasted Mr Curran’s promotion as a “major error of judgement”.
He said no appointment should not proceed until the end of the Lawyer X royal commission “given Brett Curran’s connection to many of the issues being considered by Her Honour, Commissioner McMurdo”.
“Brett Curran — Daniel Andrews’ former chief of staff — is a Labor political warrior. That goes with the job of chief of staff to an opposition leader,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Victorians deserve an apolitical police force. Making the Premier’s former chief of staff an Assistant Commissioner undermines Victoria Police’s reputation for political impartiality.”
Commander Libby Murphy from Southern Metro Region will also be taking on a new job.
She will replace Stephen Leane as Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Command from next week. Her biggest challenge will be to reduce road deaths.
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said Cdr Murphy moves into the role at a “critical time”.
“Many people have experienced the devastation of losing a loved one on our roads in 2019,” he said.
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“Libby has established herself as an effective senior leader with a proven record in achieving results.
“Her leadership and passion for serving the community will be invaluable as we strive to turn these matters around.”
Mr Leane is leaving the force to become the state’s new Road Safety Camera Commissioner.
Both commanders will take over their new roles from next Monday.