Crime body warns it may not be able to probe corruption

QUEENSLAND’S CMC has warned it will become the only Australian watchdog that is not focused on investigating serious corruption.

QUEENSLAND’S Crime and Misconduct Commission has warned it will become the only Australian watchdog that is not focused on investigating serious corruption if proposed legislative changes are passed by the ­Newman government.

CMC acting chair Ken Levy, who last year controversially consulted with Newman government advisers before publicly backing a crackdown on bikies, has rallied against proposed changes to the body set up in the wake of the Fitzgerald inquiry.

The proposed amendments describe the CMC’s primary purpose as combating major crime, with its secondary purpose identified as cutting corruption in the public sector.

It also proposes to require that informants sign a statutory declaration if they are making a complaint, which would spark an investigation.

The proposed amendments have drawn widespread opposition, including from Tony Fitzgerald, who accused the Newman government of trying to undermine the CMC’s independence for the future benefit of Liberal National Party politicians.

In a submission to a parliamentary inquiry on the amendments, Dr Levy said the CMC would have to concentrate on its “primary function”, major crime, when faced with budgetary constraints. “If the bill is left unchanged, while recognising the wider role of the CMC compared to most other similar statutory bodies in Australia, Queensland will be the only state that does not have a primary function to deal with serious corruption,’’ he said.

“Should there be budgetary issues, preference would have to be given to the primary function.’’

He also expressed concern about the amendments — which include a name change to the Crime and Corruption Commission — requiring a complainant to sign a statutory declaration.

“If there is a lack of clarity as to whether a complaint requires the support of a statutory declaration, the CCC may take a risk-averse approach to commencing an investigation.’’

Meanwhile, former premier Peter Beattie’s criticism of the proposed changes has been rebuffed by Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie.

Mr Beattie said the changes would lead to the “government’s man in charge of the independent watchdog’’ and open up corruption in Queensland again.