Page 895 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 20 March 2012
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the issue and recommended that the AFP should report on “use of force in its annual report, including action taken on inappropriate instances of use of force”. At the time in 2008 the government agreed to release the data annually but this has not occurred. Last year, in response to a question from the committee, you released information which compared use of handguns, tasers, capsicum spray and batons over the last two years. Minister, have you requested that police include the data in this year’s annual report?
MR CORBELL: I thank Ms Bresnan for the question. I have indicated, I think, previously that the government will ensure that that data is reported on annually. We see no issue with reporting that data annually. As an indication of our commitment to that, I provided the data that Ms Bresnan referred to.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Bresnan, a supplementary.
MS BRESNAN: Minister, do you have assurances that police will actually provide the data, and just again on the question: will the data be included in the annual report or in another format?
MR CORBELL: It is my intention that the data be provided annually.
MS HUNTER: A supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Hunter.
MS HUNTER: Minister, have you requested police to report on action taken against inappropriate instances of use of force, and if not, why not?
MR CORBELL: We have a comprehensive complaints handling regime already in place in relation to these matters. Complaints are first of all dealt with by the internal investigations area of the Australian Federal Police. That process is then subject to oversight and further inquiry by the Ombudsman. In instances of serious misconduct and potentially corrupt misconduct, the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity also has a role. So I believe that the existing framework is a robust one. It ensures that there is independent oversight and investigation of how police deal with complaints about inappropriate use of force, or indeed any complaint against a police officer, and I do not propose to add any further to that existing statutory legislative mechanism.
MS LE COUTEUR: Supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Le Couteur.
MS LE COUTEUR: Minister, how do you satisfy yourself that complaints about inappropriate use of force are investigated fully?
MR CORBELL: I am satisfied because I know that if there are serious issues they will be brought to my attention either by the CPO or by the Ombudsman or by ACLEI, the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity. As I say, there is a
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