Crossing the Line

Report of an investigation into the conduct of a member of Police undertaking secondary employment as a Ministerial Adviser and his relationship with a Deputy Commissioner of .

Ordered to be printed Victorian Government Printer October 2011 Session 2010-11 P.P. No. 76 WARNING – Lawfully intercepted information

Content in this report derived from telephone conversations is lawfully intercepted information. This information has been used, recorded and communicated to you pursuant to the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 (Cth) (the Act), ‹Ž’—ȱ˜›ȱ‘ŽȱĜŒŽȱ˜ȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ —Ž›’¢Ȃœȱ™Ž›–’ĴŽȱ™ž›™˜œŽǰȱ‘Šȱ’œȱ‘Žȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ‹¢ȱ‘Žȱ ’›ŽŒ˜›ǰȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ —Ž›’¢ȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ǯȱ—¢ȱȱž›‘Ž›ȱŽŠ•’—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ•Š ž••¢ȱ intercepted information by recipients, including copying, may be regulated by the Act.

2 ŽĴŽ›ȱ˜ȱ›Š—œ–’ĴŠ•

To

The Honourable the President of the Legislative Council (Vic)

And

The Honourable the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (Vic)

This report is presented to Parliament in accordance with section 28(2) of the Police Integrity Act 2008ǯȱ ȱŽŠ’•œȱ‘Žȱ˜žŒ˜–Žȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ ȱ‹ŽŠ—ȱ’—ȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗȱ’—˜DZȱ

Ȋȱ Certain activities of (then) Detective Leading Senior Constable Tristan Weston while ž—Ž›Š”’—ȱ œŽŒ˜—Š›¢ȱ Ž–™•˜¢–Ž—ȱ Šœȱ Šȱ ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱ ĜŒŽ›ȱ ’—ȱ ‘Žȱ ĜŒŽȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ Minister for Police and Emergency Services.

Ȋȱ Certain communications between Mr Weston in his capacity as a Ministerial ĜŒŽ›ȱŠ—ȱǻ‘Ž—ǼȱŽ™ž¢ȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱǯ

My report outlines evidence gathered in the course of the investigation, draws conclusions from such evidence and makes recommendations.

Michael Strong

 ǰȱ ȱ   

3 Contents

Letter of transmittal 3

Contents 4

Executive summary 7 Campaign against the former Chief Commissioner 7 Own motion investigation 7 ››ŽŒ˜—Œ’•Š‹•ŽȱŒ˜—•’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Žœȱ ş What went wrong? 10 Characterisation of misconduct 10 ’›ȱ Ž——Ž‘ȱǻ Ž—Ǽȱ ˜—Žœȱ ŗŗ Communication with Government 12 The Police Association 12 Mr Davies 13

Recommendations 14

Chronology of relevant events 15

Relevant persons 19

Background 20 Background to the investigation 20 Own motion investigation 20 ž›’œ’Œ’˜—ȱ ŘŖ Complaints investigation 22 Methodology 22 Legal and policy framework 22 Natural justice 22

What the investigation revealed 23 ›’œŠ—ȱ Š–ŽœȱŽœ˜—ȱ Řř Application for leave without pay and secondary employment 23 Appointment as a Ministerial Officer 24 Role of Ministerial Police Adviser 25 ›ŠŒ’ŒŠ•ȱ ˜›”’—œȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŽ™ž¢ȱ›Ž–’Ž›Ȃœȱ’ŒŽȱ Řŝ Media management 27 ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ›Ž•Š’˜—œ‘’™ȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱ’••ȱ’••Ž¢ȱȱ ŘŞ

4 ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŸ’Ž œȱ˜—ȱ’–˜—ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ ŘŞ ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘Ȃœȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ Řş ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—Ȃœȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ řŖ ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—Ȃœȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ řŖ ‘Žȱ›Ž•Š’˜—œ‘’™ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱȱ řŗ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ řŗ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ™™›˜ŠŒ‘Žœȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘Žȱ™›˜™˜œŽȱ anti-corruption commission 31 ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱŒ˜––Ž—œȱ˜—ȱ‘’œȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜—ȱŗŘȱ™›’•ȱŘŖŗŗȱ řř ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ȂœȱŠŒŒ˜ž—ȱ˜ȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ řŚ ž‹œŽšžŽ—ȱ–ŽŽ’—œȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ řŚ ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ—˜ȱ’—˜›–Žȱ˜ȱ ˜—ŽœȱȮȱŽœ˜—ȱ–ŽŽ’—œȱ řś Minister Ryan not informed of meetings 35 The relationship between Mr Weston and the Police Association 35 ‘Žȱ›Ž•Š’˜—œ‘’™ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ řŜ ŽŽ’—ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠ—ȱ›ȱ’Œ‘ŠŽ•ȱ Š™Ž•ȱ řŝ Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱȱ řş ŠŒ”›˜ž—ȱ řş ˜›œȱ˜ȱ™Ž›œžŠŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ˜ȱ ’‘›Š ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ ŚŖ Letter of withdrawal sent 42 Announcement proposed for Friday 13 May 2011 45 The proposed withdrawal of resignation founders 47 ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ ŚŞ Ÿ’Ž—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱ Śş ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱŽ—’Žœȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ŠœȱŠȱȁŽŠ•Ȃȱ Śş ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȂœȱŸŽ›œ’˜—ȱ˜ȱŽŸŽ—œȱ śŗ ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱȱ śŗ

Mr Weston’s media campaign 53 3AW 53 Herald Sun reporter Ms Carly Crawford 54 Herald Sun 13 April 2011 54 Herald Sun 5 May 2011 56 Herald Sun ›ŽŽ˜–ȱ˜ȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱ›ŽšžŽœȱ śŜ Herald Sun 6 May 2011 57 Herald SunȱşȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗȱ śŞ Herald Sun 18 May 2011 60

5 The Age 17 and 18 May 2011 61 The Weekend Australian 21 May 2011 63 Herald Sun 24 May 2011 64 Herald Sun şȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗȱ Ŝś ˜—ŒŽ›—œȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—ȂœȱŒ›’–ŽȱœŠ’œ’Œœȱ›Ž™˜›ȱȱ ŜŜ Background 66 ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽœȱȁŠ—ȱŽ—˜›–˜žœȱ‘ŽŠœȱž™Ȃȱ Ŝŝ The allegations are communicated to the Herald Sun 68 ‘Žȱ˜›—Ž¢ȱ Ž—Ž›Š•ȂœȱŽ—’˜›ȱŸ’œŽ›ȱ’œȱ–’œ•Žȱ Ŝş Mr Hindmarsh misled 71 ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱž›Žœȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜ȱȁ™ž••Ȃȱ‘Žȱœ˜›¢ȱ ŝŘ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ’ŸŽœȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȱȁœ˜–Ž‘’—ȱ‹ŽŽ›Ȃȱ ŝŘ Stories not published 73 Conclusion 74 ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŽ¡™•Š—Š’˜—ȱ˜›ȱŽ—Œ˜ž›Š’—ȱ‘Žȱ™ž‹•’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ–Ž’Šȱœ˜›’Žœȱ critical of Victoria Police 74 Response by Mr Weston to allegations of impropriety 75 Response inconsistent with confession to Mr Hindmarsh 75 Opportunity given to Mr Weston to lodge complaint 76 ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—Ȃœȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ˜ȱ›Šȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ ŝŜ ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—Ȃœȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ ŝŜ

Conclusion and recommendations 77 ››ŽŒ˜—Œ’•Š‹•ŽȱŒ˜—•’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Žœȱ ŝŝ What went wrong? 77 Recommendations 78 ŽŽ›Š•ȱ —šž’›¢ȱ ŝş ž›’œ’Œ’˜—ȱȱ ŝş

Appendix One – Legal and policy framework 80 Police Integrity Act 2008 80 Police Regulation 1958 80 ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ —œ›žŒ’˜—œȱ Şŗ Legal definitions 81 –™›˜™Ž›ȱŒ˜—žŒȱ Şŗ Misconduct in public office 82

Appendix Two – Mr Weston’s response to the draft report 83

Appendix Three – Sir Ken Jones’ emails 85

6 ¡ŽŒž’ŸŽȱœž––Š›¢

Campaign against the former Chief Commissioner —ȱŗşȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗȱ’–˜—ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱǰȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǰȱ›Žœ’—Žȱ ŠŽ›ȱ ˜ȱ¢ŽŠ›œȱŠ—ȱ˜ž›ȱ–˜—‘œȱ’—ȱ˜ĜŒŽǯȱ —ȱ‘Žȱ™Ž›’˜ȱ’––Ž’ŠŽ•¢ȱ™›ŽŒŽ’—ȱ‘’œȱ ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǰȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ Šœȱœž‹“ŽŒŽȱ˜ȱŠȱŒŠ–™Š’—ȱȮȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ–Ž’ŠȱŠ—ȱ›˜–ȱ˜‘Ž›ȱ œŽŒ’˜—Š•ȱ’—Ž›ŽœœȱȮȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ‹¢ȱ’Œ˜›’Š—ȱŽ™ž¢ȱ›Ž–’Ž›ȱŠ—ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ and Emergency Services, the Honourable Peter Ryan MP, as ž—›Ž–’Ĵ’—ȱŠ—ȱ›Ž–˜›œŽ•Žœœ. ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ’œȱ›Ž™˜›ŽȱŠœȱ‘ŠŸ’—ȱœŠ’DZ

I’ve not seen the like of the campaign that’s been run against [Mr Overland], never seen the like of it in my 18 years in politics and in my similar time in private life.

‘Ž—ȱŠœ”Žȱ ‘˜ȱ ŠœȱžŽ••’—ȱ‘ŽȱŒŠ–™Š’—ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ›Ž™˜›Ž•¢ȱŠ—œ Ž›ŽDZȱ

I don’t know the answer to that.

Own motion investigation —ȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗȱŠ—ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ ŠœȱŒ˜––Ž—ŒŽȱ™ž›œžŠ—ȱ˜ȱœŽŒ’˜—ȱŚŚȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ Police Integrity Act 2008 into the suspected misconduct of (then) Detective Leading Senior Constable Tristan Weston involving in particular (then) Deputy Commissioner Sir Ž——Ž‘ȱǻ Ž—Ǽȱ ˜—Žœǯȱ

The investigation has established that Detective Leading Senior Constable Weston, ‘Ž—ȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ȱǻ˜•’ŒŽȱŸ’œŽ›Ǽȱ’—ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǰȱ‘ŽŠŸ’•¢ȱ™›˜–˜Žȱ the campaign against Mr Overland, though it is not suggested that Mr Weston began the campaign or was, by any means, its sole proponent.

›ȱ Žœ˜—Ȃœȱ ŠĴ’žŽȱ ˜ȱ ›ȱ ŸŽ›•Š—ǰȱ ž™˜—ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ ‘Žȱ Ž¡™˜ž—Žȱ ’—ȱ ‘’œȱ  ȱ Ž¡Š–’—Š’˜—ǰȱ ŠœȱŠ•–˜œȱž—›ŽœŽ›ŸŽ•¢ȱ—ŽŠ’ŸŽǰȱ˜›ȱŽ¡Š–™•ŽDZ

…some people did ask me advice as to what my views on Mr Overland was, I wasn’t afraid to tell him that I thought that ultimately he was going to wreak untold damage on both the Government and the police force and that he was an inappropriate Chief Commissioner.

For some months, a rift between Chief Commissioner Overland and Deputy ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ ˜—Žœȱ ‘Šȱ ‹ŽŽ—ȱ ‘Žȱ œž‹“ŽŒȱ ˜ȱ Œ˜—œ’Ž›Š‹•Žȱ –Ž’Šȱ œ™ŽŒž•Š’˜—ǯȱ •‘˜ž‘ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ™ž‹•’Œ•¢ȱœŠŽȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱœŽŽ”ȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›ŸŽ—Žȱ’—ȱ‘Šȱ–ŠĴŽ›ǰȱ Mr Weston had no such compunction and became deeply involved on the side of Ž™ž¢ȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ ˜—Žœǯȱ

7 ‘Žȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ‘Šœȱœ‘˜ —ȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŽœ˜—DZ

Ȋȱ ›ŽšžŽ—•¢ȱžœŽȱ‘Žȱ–Ž’Šȱ˜ȱœ‘Š›™Ž—ȱ‘’œȱŠĴŠŒ”ȱ˜—ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœŽ—’˜›ȱ–Š—ŠŽ–Ž—ȱ in general and the Chief Commissioner in particular and actively encouraged the publication of critical media articles.

Ȋȱ›˜Ÿ’Žȱ’—˜›–Š’˜—ȱȮȱ’—Œ•ž’—ȱŒ˜—ꍮ—’Š•ȱ’—˜›–Š’˜—ȱȮȱ˜ȱ ŠŒ’•’ŠŽȱ ‘Žȱ publication of such articles.

Ȋȱ ’œ•Žȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘’œȱ–Ž’ŠȱŠŒ’Ÿ’’Žœǯ

‘Žȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ‘Šœȱœ‘˜ —ȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŽœ˜—DZ

Ȋȱ Ž™›ŽœŽ—Žȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱŽŒ›ŽŠ›¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ǰȱ›ȱ ›Žȱ ŠŸ’Žœǰȱ‘Šȱ‹›˜”Ž›ŽȱŠȱȁŽŠ•Ȃȱ ‘Ž›Ž‹¢ǰȱ’ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱŠŒŒŽ™Žȱ‘Žȱ ’‘›Š Š•ȱ ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǰȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱ ˜ž•ȱœ˜Ž—ȱ’œȱŠ™™›˜ŠŒ‘ȱ˜ȱŠȱ number of industrial relations issues of concern to Government.

Ȋȱ Ž›œžŠŽȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ ˜ȱ ›’Žȱ Š—ȱ œ’—ȱ Šȱ •ŽĴŽ›ȱ ’‘›Š ’—ȱ ‘’œȱ ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—ȱ˜ȱœŽ—ȱ‘Šȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ™›’ŸŠŽȱ™Ž›œ˜—Š•ȱŽ–Š’•ȱ address and to Mr Davies.

Ȋȱ ŠŽ›ȱ Ž•ŽŽȱ ‘Šȱ •ŽĴŽ›ȱ ›˜–ȱ ‘’œȱ ™Ž›œ˜—Š•ȱ Ž–Š’•ȱ ˜ȱ ™›ŽŸŽ—ȱ ’œȱ’œŒ˜ŸŽ›¢ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ ŽŸŽ—ȱ˜ȱŠȱ›ŽŽ˜–ȱ˜ȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱ›ŽšžŽœǯ

‘Žȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ‘ŠœȱŠ•œ˜ȱœ‘˜ —ȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŽœ˜—DZ

Ȋȱ Encouraged a Herald Sun reporter to write an article (never published) highly Œ›’’ŒŠ•ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’ŠȂœȱŽ™ž¢ȱ–‹žœ–Š—ȱ ’‘ȱŠȱŸ’Ž ȱ˜ȱ™›ŽŸŽ—’—ȱ‘Žȱ™›˜žŒ’˜—ȱ ˜ȱŠȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ‘Šȱ–’‘ȱ—˜ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱœžĜŒ’Ž—•¢ȱŒ›’’ŒŠ•ȱ˜ȱ‘’Žȱ ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ ŸŽ›•Š—ȱ ’—ȱ ‘Žȱ –‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ›Ž•ŽŠœŽȱ ˜ȱ ’Œ˜›’Šȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱ crime statistics.

Ȋȱ Having been urged by Mr Davies to pull this story, and at a time when he ǻ›ȱŽœ˜—Ǽȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‘Šȱ ȱ Šœȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœǰȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ‘ŽȱHerald Sun reporter with œ˜–Ž‘’—ȱ‹ŽĴŽ›ǰ namely information for an article highly critical ˜ȱŠȱœŽ—’˜›ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›ǯ

—ȱ—Ž’‘Ž›ȱŒŠœŽȱ Šœȱ‘Ž›ŽȱœžĜŒ’Ž—ȱŒ›Ž’‹•ŽȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ“žœ’¢ȱ‘ŽȱŠ–ŠŽȱ˜ȱ ›Ž™žŠ’˜—ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱŒŠžœŽǯȱ —ȱ—Ž’‘Ž›ȱŒŠœŽȱ Šœȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠž‘˜›’œŽȱ ‹¢ȱ‘’œȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ‘’œȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěȱ˜ȱ™›˜Œž›Žȱ‘Žȱ™ž‹•’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•Žǯȱ

›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŠŒ’Ÿ’’Žœȱ‘ŠŸŽȱŠ’’˜—Š•ȱœ’—’ęŒŠ—ŒŽȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ‘Ž¢ȱ Š•–˜œȱ ŒŽ›Š’—•¢ȱ Œ˜—›’‹žŽȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱŽŸŽ—œȱ‘Šȱ•Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›Ȃœȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǯȱ —ȱ‘Žȱ™›˜ŒŽœœǰȱ–Š—ŠŽ–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ Šœȱž—Ž›–’—ŽȱŠ—ȱ™ž‹•’ŒȱŒ˜—ꍮ—ŒŽȱ in it diminished.

8 ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŒ˜—ŒŽŽœȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǰȱ›ȱŽ—ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ǰȱ Šœȱ unaware of much of the activity criticised in this report. He concedes he misled Mr Hindmarsh and appears to concede that he did so frequently. Mr Weston alleges, however, that Mr Hindmarsh was aware of and condoned some of the relevant activity. ‘’œȱ’œȱœ›˜—•¢ȱ’œ™žŽȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ǯȱ ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ—˜ȱ’Ž—’ꮍȱŠ—¢ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ corroborates the allegation Mr Weston makes against Mr Hindmarsh.

Mr Weston asserts that his responsibilities as a Ministerial Adviser, particularly in regard to the release of information to the media, are perhaps not capable of hard and fast rules.ȱ›˜–ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ™Ž›œ™ŽŒ’ŸŽǰȱ’ȱ’œȱ’–™˜›Š—ȱ‘ŠȱŠȱMinister’s ability to comment publicly is not compromised by what he is told by an adviser – what is explicitly denied can at ‘ŽȱœŠ–Žȱ’–Žȱ‹Žȱ’–™•’Œ’•¢ȱ™Ž›–’ĴŽǯ

—ȱ‘’œȱœŽ—œŽǰȱŠ—ȱ˜—•¢ȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱœŽ—œŽǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ™™ŽŠ›œȱ˜ȱŠœœŽ›ȱ‘Šȱœ˜–Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ relevant conduct was implicitly condoned by Minister Ryan. The Minister, however, emphatically denies that he was aware of, condoned or approved (implicitly or ˜‘Ž› ’œŽǼȱŠ—¢ȱŒ˜—žŒȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘ŠȱŒ˜ž•ȱ‹ŽȱŒ‘Š›ŠŒŽ›’œŽȱŠœȱ’–™›˜™Ž›ǯȱ ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ —˜ȱ’Ž—’ꮍȱŠ—¢ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘ŠȱŒ˜››˜‹˜›ŠŽœȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŠœœŽ›’˜—ǯ

ȱŽ–™‘Šœ’œŽȱ‘Šȱ–¢ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ‘Šœȱ—˜ȱ˜ŒžœŽȱ˜—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—žŒȱ˜ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜›ȱ ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ǰȱ—Ž’‘Ž›ȱ˜ȱ ‘˜–ȱ ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱŠ—¢ȱ“ž›’œ’Œ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ’—ŸŽœ’ŠŽǯ

››ŽŒ˜—Œ’•Š‹•ŽȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Žœ The historical background to the creation of the role of Police Adviser is set out in the ‹˜¢ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ǯȱ —ȱ‘’—œ’‘ǰȱ’ȱ’œȱœž›™›’œ’—ȱ‘˜ ȱ’ȱ ŠœȱŽŸŽ›ȱ‘˜ž‘ȱŠ™™›˜™›’ŠŽȱ ˜›ȱ Šȱ œŽ›Ÿ’—ȱ –Ž–‹Ž›ȱ ˜ȱ ™˜•’ŒŽȱ ˜ȱ ˜ŒŒž™¢ȱ œžŒ‘ȱ Šȱ ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ ’—ȱ ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǰȱ ‘Ž›Žȱ‘Žȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›Ȃœȱ™›’—Œ’™Š•ȱ›Žœ™˜—œ’‹’•’¢ǰȱŠœȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ Šœȱ to protect the Minister and the Government, not to serve the Chief Commissioner Š—ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǯȱ —ȱ–¢ȱ˜™’—’˜—ǰȱ’ȱ’œȱ’–™˜œœ’‹•Žȱ˜›ȱŠȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ›ŽŒ˜—Œ’•Žȱ the duties of such a role with the duty of that member to Victoria Police. There is a ž—Š–Ž—Š•ȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Žœǰȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ ’••ȱ‹ŽȱŽŸ’Ž—ȱ’–ŽȱŠ—ȱŠŠ’—ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ—Š››Š’˜—ȱ ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽŸŽ—œȱ‘Šȱ˜ŒŒž››Žȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ™›’•ȱŠ—ȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗǯȱ

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŒŠ——˜ȱŠ’›•¢ȱ‹ŽȱŒ›’’Œ’œŽȱ˜›ȱŽĴ’—ȱ‘’–œŽ•ȱ’—˜ȱŠȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ˜ȱŒ˜—Ě’Œǯȱœȱ a serving Victoria Police member, he sought and was granted permission to undertake Ž–™•˜¢–Ž—ȱŠœȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ǯȱŽ›–’œœ’˜—ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ›Š—Žǯȱ—ȱ unfortunate precedent had been set under previous Governments.

›ȱŽ—ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ǰȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǰȱ‘Šœȱ’—˜›–Žȱ ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ ’••ȱ—˜ȱ again employ a serving police member as an Adviser to the Minister.

ş What went wrong? ž’ŽȱŠ™Š›ȱ›˜–ȱ‘Žȱ’››ŽŒ˜—Œ’•Š‹•ŽȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Žœȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŠ™™˜’—–Ž—ȱ created, there were factors personal to him that made him a poor choice. As this report œ‘˜ œǰȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ—˜ȱœŽ—œŽȱ˜ȱ‹˜ž—Š›’ŽœȱȮȱ—Ž’‘Ž›ȱ ‘Ž›Žȱ‘Ž¢ȱ Ž›Žǰȱ—˜›ȱ ‘Ž—ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ Œ›˜œœŽȱ‘Ž–ǯȱŸŽ—ȱŠŽ›ȱ‘Žȱ—Šž›ŽȱŠ—ȱœŒŠ•Žȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—žŒȱ‘Šȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŽ¡™˜œŽȱŠ—ȱ Ž¡Š–’—Žȱž›’—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ǰȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ—˜ȱ›ŽŠ•ȱ’—œ’‘ȱ’—˜ȱ’œȱ –Š—’ŽœȱŽ¡ŒŽœœŽœȱŠ—ȱ’–™›˜™›’Ž¢ǯȱ’‘Ž›ȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱ™›˜™Ž›•¢ȱ’—œ›žŒŽȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ™›˜™Ž›ȱ limits of his role or he failed to understand or ignored the instructions he was given.

—ȱ‘’œȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ—ŽŸŽ›ȱ’œŒ•˜œŽȱŠ—¢‘’—ȱ‘Žȱ‘ŠȱŠȱž¢ȱ as a police member not to disclose or which breached his duty to his Minister. However, Šœȱ›ŽŸŽŠ•Žȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ǰȱ˜••˜ ’—ȱ‘’œȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŒ˜—ŽœœŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǰȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ǰȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ•’Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱŠ—ǰȱŒ˜—›Š›¢ȱ˜ȱ Šœœž›Š—ŒŽœȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ™›ŽŸ’˜žœ•¢ȱ’ŸŽ—ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ǰȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱȁ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱœ˜ž›ŒŽȂȱ for a number of media articles critical of Victoria Police and the Chief Commissioner.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜—žŒǰȱ ‘Ž—ȱ‹›˜ž‘ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠĴŽ—’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Ž—ȱŽ™ž¢ȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ Lay, resulted in the immediate withdrawal of permission to engage in secondary employment. Mr Weston resigned from Victoria Police shortly thereafter.

—ȱŠȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱŽ•’ŸŽ›Žȱ‹¢ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ•ŽŠ•ȱŠŸ’œŽ›œȱ˜ȱŠȱ›Šȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ǰȱ’ȱ’œȱ asserted that Mr Weston had long been lost to policing and had, for a considerable time, been operating wholly in the political world. The response refers, in this connection, to Mr Žœ˜—Ȃœȱž—œžŒŒŽœœž•ȱŒŠ—’ŠŒ¢ȱ˜›ȱ‘ŽȱœŽŠȱ˜ȱŠŒŽ˜—ȱŠȱ‘Žȱ•ŠœȱŠŽȱŽ•ŽŒ’˜—ǯȱ ȱ˜ȱ not take these comments to be a criticism of the way in which Mr Weston discharged his duties as a police member prior to commencing leave without pay. The comments do, however, reinforce my strong view that in the performance of his role as Police Adviser, Mr Weston pursued his own political agenda with great vigour, whether or not it was Œ˜—œ’œŽ—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘ŽȱŠŽ—Šȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ’—’œŽ›ǯȱ ŠŸ’—ȱŠ’•Žȱ˜ȱŠ’—ȱŠ›•’Š–Ž—Š›¢ȱ˜ĜŒŽǰȱ ‘Žȱ˜ž—ȱ‘’–œŽ•ȱ’—ȱŠȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ˜ȱ™˜ Ž›ȱŠ—ȱ’—ĚžŽ—ŒŽȱ—˜ȱ—Ž ȱŽ–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱŠ›•’Š–Ž—ȱ could have dreamt of and he simply did not know where to draw the line, or much care.

Characterisation of misconduct —ȱ–¢ȱŸ’Ž ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜—žŒDZ

Ȋȱ Constituted serious misconduct within the meaning of section 3 of the Police Integrity Act 2008.

Ȋȱ˜—œ’žŽȱ’–™›˜™Ž›ȱŒ˜—žŒȱ ’‘’—ȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŠ—’—ȱ˜ȱœŽŒ’˜—ȱŜşȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ Police Regulation Act 1958.

Ȋȱ Š¢ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ’—Ÿ˜•ŸŽȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜––’œœ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜ěŽ—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ–’œŒ˜—žŒȱ’—ȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ˜ĜŒŽǯ

Ȋȱ Š¢ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ’—Ÿ˜•ŸŽȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜––’œœ’˜—ȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱ˜ěŽ—ŒŽǰȱ˜›ȱ˜ěŽ—ŒŽœǰȱž—Ž›ȱœŽŒ’˜—ȱŗŘŝȱ˜ȱ the Police Regulation Act 1958.

10 Ȋȱ Constituted improper conduct within the meaning of section 4 of the Public Administration Act 2004.

Ȋȱ Constituted a breach of his contract of employment.

Consideration will now be given to whether the evidence admissible against ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ’œȱœžĜŒ’Ž—ȱ˜ȱœž™™˜›ȱŒ›’–’—Š•ȱŒ‘Š›Žœǯȱ—˜›ž—ŠŽ•¢ǰȱ‘Žȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ was compromised by a newspaper article on 3 ž—Žȱ ŘŖŗŗȱ ‘Šȱ –ŠŽȱ ž›‘Ž›ȱ Œ˜ŸŽ›ȱ investigation impossible.1 Additional evidence that could almost certainly have been Š‘Ž›ŽȱŒ˜ŸŽ›•¢ȱ Šœȱ•˜œǯȱ ȱ–žœȱŠ•œ˜ȱ‹Žȱ›ŽŒ˜—’œŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ•Ž—‘¢ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ’ŸŽ—ȱ‹¢ȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠȱ‘’œȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ȱŒŠ——˜ȱ‹ŽȱžœŽȱŠŠ’—œȱ‘’–ȱ’—ȱŒ›’–’—Š•ȱ™›˜ŒŽŽ’—œǯȱ žŒ‘ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ’ŸŽœȱ’–™˜›Š—ȱŒ˜—Ž¡ȱ˜ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱŠ’—Žȱ‹¢ȱ˜‘Ž›ȱ–ŽŠ—œȱŠ—ȱ ’‘˜žȱ ’ȱŠȱœžŒŒŽœœž•ȱ™›˜œŽŒž’˜—ȱ–Š¢ȱ‹Žȱ’ĜŒž•ǯȱ‘’œȱ’œȱ—˜ȱŠȱŒŠžœŽȱ˜›ȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—ǰȱŠœȱ ȱŽ¡™•Š’—Žȱ ’—ȱ ȂœȱŘŖŗŗȱ——žŠ•ȱŽ™˜›DZ

Coerced evidence is obtained to ascertain the truth, to expose corruption and serious misconduct and to facilitate performance management action where appropriate… Inability to use such evidence in criminal proceedings is the price that must be paid for abrogation of the privilege against self incrimination. The importance of coercively obtained evidence should not, however, be underrated.

But for my power to obtain evidence coercively, much of the truth of this episode would not have emerged.

Had Mr Weston not resigned from Victoria Police, a substantial discipline brief ˜ž•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱœž‹–’ĴŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ‘’ŒŠ•ȱŠ—Š›œȱŽ™Š›–Ž—ǯȱ‘Šȱ ’••ȱ—˜ȱ•˜—Ž›ȱ be necessary.

›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ ›Ž–Š’—œȱ Šȱ ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱ ĜŒŽ›ǯȱ ȱ ’••ȱ ‹Žȱ Šȱ –ŠĴŽ›ȱ ˜›ȱ ‘’œȱŽ–™•˜¢Ž›ǰȱ‘Žȱ ›Ž–’Ž›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǰȱ˜ȱŽŽ›–’—Žȱ ‘Šȱ’œŒ’™•’—Š›¢ȱŠŒ’˜—ȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—žŒȱ Š››Š—œǯ

’›ȱ Ž——Ž‘ȱǻ Ž—Ǽȱ ˜—Žœ ‘Žȱ›Ž•Š’˜—œ‘’™ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ‘˜ ŽŸŽ›ȱ’ȱ‹ŽŠ—ǰȱšž’Œ”•¢ȱ took a questionable course and involved communications which, in my opinion, were ˜Š••¢ȱ’—Š™™›˜™›’ŠŽǯȱ‘’œȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱœ‘˜ œȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœDZ

Ȋȱ Conducted a relationship with Mr Weston in a manner wholly inconsistent with ‘Žȱ™›˜Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŠ—ȱŽ‘’ŒŠ•ȱœŠ—Š›œȱ˜ȱ‹ŽȱŽ¡™ŽŒŽȱ˜ȱŠȱŽ™ž¢ȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ of Police.

Ȋȱ —ȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—œȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ Šœȱ‘’‘•¢ȱŒ›’’ŒŠ•ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ –Š—ŠŽ–Ž—ȱ ˜ȱ Victoria Police generally and Mr Overland in particular.

ŗȱ ’Œ‘Š›ȱŠ”Ž›ȱŠ—ȱ’Œ”ȱŒ Ž—£’Žȱřȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗȱThe Age Bugged: Sir Ken Jones Targeted by the OPI

11 Ȋȱ Placed himself in a position of potential future compromise by being party to a secret arrangement that could have left him in the debt of the Police Association.

Ȋȱ Ž—ȱ Šȱ œ’—Žȱ •ŽĴŽ›ȱ ’‘›Š ’—ȱ ‘’œȱ ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ ˜ȱ ›ȱ Žœ˜—Ȃœȱ ™›’ŸŠŽȱ Ž–Š’•ȱ Š›Žœœȱ˜ȱŠŒ’•’ŠŽȱŒ˜—ŒŽŠ•–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘Šȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ›˜–ȱ•Ž’’–ŠŽȱœŒ›ž’—¢ǯ

Communication with Government ‘’œȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žœȱ¢ŽȱŠ—˜‘Ž›ȱŽ¡Š–™•Žȱǻ’ȱ˜—Žȱ’œȱ—ŽŽŽǼȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–’œŒ‘’ŽȱŠ—ȱ ‘Š›–ȱ‘Šȱ ’••ȱ—ŽŠ›•¢ȱŠ• Š¢œȱ›Žœž•ȱ ‘Ž—ȱŠȱœŽ—’˜›ȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•ȱœŽŽ”œȱŒ•Š—Žœ’—Žȱ avenues through which to channel criticisms of his or her Department and Chief ¡ŽŒž’ŸŽȱ˜ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ǯȱ‘Ž›Žȱ–Š¢ȱ‹ŽȱŽ¡ŒŽ™’˜—Š•ȱŒ’›Œž–œŠ—ŒŽœȱ ‘Ž—ȱ‘’œȱ—ŽŽœȱ ˜ȱ‹Žȱ˜—Žǰȱ‹žȱ’ȱ’œȱ’ĜŒž•ȱ˜ȱŒ˜—ŒŽ’ŸŽȱ‘Šȱ’ȱŒ˜ž•ȱŽŸŽ›ȱŠ™™›˜™›’ŠŽ•¢ȱ‹Žȱ˜—ŽȱŠȱŠȱ chance meeting with a junior Ministerial Adviser, such as Mr Weston. Moreover, it is impossible to conceive how the pursuit of such issues could ever justify collaboration ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ‘ŽȱœŽ—’˜›ȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•ȱŠ—ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱŸ’œŽ›ȱŒŠ•Œž•ŠŽȱ˜ȱŠŸŠ—ŠŽȱ ‘Žȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•ȱŠȱ‘ŽȱŽ¡™Ž—œŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ˜›ȱ‘Ž›ȱ‘’Žȱ¡ŽŒž’ŸŽǯȱ

Victoria Police policy and protocols should be strengthened to ensure that personnel Šȱ ¡ŽŒž’ŸŽȱ •ŽŸŽ•ȱ ‘ŠŸŽȱ Šȱ Œ•ŽŠ›ȱ ž—Ž›œŠ—’—ȱ ˜ȱ ‘Ž’›ȱ ›Žœ™ŽŒ’ŸŽȱ Š—ȱ ™›˜™Ž›ȱ ›˜•Žœȱ ’—ȱŒ˜––ž—’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ ’‘ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱŽ—Ž›Š••¢ȱŠ—ȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱœŠěȱ’—ȱ™Š›’Œž•Š›ǯȱ ȱ may be, however, that no policy or protocol can prevent the dishonourable pursuit of personal interest.

The Police Association The comments that follow were provided to Mr Davies for response prior to the publication of this report. He rejects them as unsubstantiated and a general smear on ‘Žȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱŠ—ȱ‘’–ǯȱ ȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜––Ž—œȱ Ž••ȱ“žœ’ꮍȱ‹¢ȱ‘ŽȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ’—ȱ this report.

‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱ’œȱŠȱ‘’‘•¢ȱ’—ĚžŽ—’Š•ȱ’—žœ›’Š•ȱ˜›Š—’œŠ’˜—ǯȱ ȱ‘ŠœȱŠȱ•Ž’’–ŠŽȱ and important role in representing the interests of its members. But if those who lead ˜›ȱ›Ž™›ŽœŽ—ȱ’ȱŠ›Žȱ™Ž›–’ĴŽȱ˜ȱ‹ŽŒ˜–Žȱȁ”’—Ȭ–Š”Ž›œȂǰȱ‘Žȱ™›˜™Ž›ȱ˜›Ž›ȱ’œȱ’œž›‹Žȱ Š—ȱ ‘Žȱ ›˜•Žȱ ˜ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ žœž›™Žǯȱ •ŽŒŽȱ ž—’˜—ȱ ˜ĜŒ’Š•œȱ Š›Žȱ —˜ȱ –Š—ŠŽȱ ˜ȱ decide who should, or should not, be a Chief Commissioner of Police. That is the role of duly-elected Governments.

Members of the Police Association have the right to communicate freely with the Association in pursuit of legitimate industrial objectives, so long as they do so lawfully and consistently with their responsibilities as Victoria Police members. However, police –Ž–‹Ž›œȱŽ—Ž›Š••¢ǰȱŠ—ȱœŽ—’˜›ȱ˜ĜŒŽ›œȱ’—ȱ™Š›’Œž•Š›ǰȱ–žœȱŠŸ˜’ȱ™•ŠŒ’—ȱ‘Ž–œŽ•ŸŽœȱ ’—ȱ™˜œ’’˜—œȱ˜ȱ™˜Ž—’Š•ȱŒ˜–™›˜–’œŽȱ˜›ȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Žœȱ’—ȱ‘Ž’›ȱŽŠ•’—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ Association. Equally, they must not allow themselves to be associated with activities

12 ‘Šȱ–Š¢ȱ‹Žȱ–˜’ŸŠŽȱ™›’–Š›’•¢ȱ‹¢ȱŠȱŽœ’›Žȱ˜ȱŠĴŠŒ”ȱ˜›ȱž—Ž›–’—Žȱ˜‘Ž›ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ ‘˜ȱ Š›Žȱȁ˜žȱ˜ȱŠŸ˜ž›Ȃȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱȮȱ•Žœœȱœ’••ȱ˜ȱŽœ›˜¢ȱ‘Ž’›ȱŒŠ›ŽŽ›œǯȱ

This investigation has shown that those boundaries were crossed.

Mr Davies ‘Žȱœ’—’ęŒŠ—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›˜•Žȱ™•Š¢Žȱ‹¢ȱ‘ŽȱŽŒ›ŽŠ›¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ œœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ǰȱ Mr Davies, in these events has not been overlooked. The appropriate limits of the role ˜ȱŠ—ȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•ȱ˜ȱŠȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱž—’˜—ǰȱ ‘˜ȱ’œȱŠ•œ˜ȱŠȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ǰȱŠ›Žȱ’ĜŒž•ȱ˜ȱŽ•’—ŽŠŽǯȱ ’œ˜›’ŒŠ••¢ǰȱ–˜›Žȱ‘Šœȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ˜•Ž›ŠŽȱ‘Š—ȱŒŠ—ȱ™Ž›‘Š™œȱ‹Žȱ›ŽŒ˜—Œ’•Žȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•Ȃœȱ continuing obligations and responsibilities as a member of Victoria Police. This may ‹Žȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱŠ™™›ŽŒ’Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’–™˜›Š—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•ȂœȱŠ‹’•’¢ȱ˜ȱŠŒȱŽŠ›•Žœœ•¢ȱ in the interests of union members.

—ȱ‘’œȱŽŒŽ–‹Ž›ȱŘŖŖŝȱ™Š›•’Š–Ž—Š›¢ȱ›Ž™˜›ǰȱReport on the ‘Kit Walker’ Investigations, my ™›ŽŽŒŽœœ˜›ǰȱ›ȱ›˜ž Ž›ǰȱ–ŠŽȱ‘Žȱ˜••˜ ’—ȱ›ŽŒ˜––Ž—Š’˜—œDZ

1. That agreed parameters for appropriate communication processes between the ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǰȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱŠ—ȱ‘Žȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ‹ŽȱŽŸŽ•˜™Žȱ and implemented.

2. That the Government should implement legislative amendment to ensure full-time paid ž—’˜—ȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•œȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱŒŽŠœŽȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱœ ˜›—ȱ–Ž–‹Ž›œȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ ˜›ȱ‘Žȱ™Ž›’˜ȱ˜ȱ‘Ž’›ȱž—’˜—ȱœŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ‹žȱ›ŽŠ’—ȱŠȱ›’‘ȱ˜ȱ›Žž›—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ Š—ȱœžŒ‘ȱŠŒŒ›žŽȱ‹Ž—ŽęœȱŠ—ȱŽ—’•Ž–Ž—œȱ‘Ž¢ȱ ˜ž•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹žȱ˜›ȱ‘Ž’›ȱž—’˜—ȱœŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽǯ

˜ȱŠ›ȱŠœȱ ȱŠ–ȱŠ Š›Žǰȱ—Ž’‘Ž›ȱ›ŽŒ˜––Ž—Š’˜—ȱ‘Šœȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ’–™•Ž–Ž—Žǯ

—ȱŒ˜—›Šœǰȱ‘Žȱ•’–’œȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŠž‘˜›’¢ȱŠ›ŽȱŒ•ŽŠ›ȱŠ—ȱ‘ŽȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŠ‹žœŽȱ ˜ȱ‘ŠȱŠž‘˜›’¢ȱ˜ŸŽ› ‘Ž•–’—ǰȱŒ˜—ę›–Žȱ‹¢ȱ‘’œȱ˜ —ȱŠ–’œœ’˜—œȱŠ—ȱŒ˜—Ž–—Žȱ’—ȱ ‘Žȱœ›˜—ŽœȱŽ›–œȱ‹¢ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱŠ—ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǰȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ǯȱ

13 Recommendations

‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ Šœȱ ›’ĴŽ—ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ™ž›œž’ȱ˜ȱ–¢ȱœŠž˜›¢ȱ˜‹•’Š’˜—œDZ

Ȋȱ To ensure that the highest ethical and professional standards are maintained in Victoria Police.

Ȋȱ To ensure that police corruption and serious misconduct are detected, investigated and prevented.

Ȋȱ To educate Victoria Police and the general community regarding police Œ˜››ž™’˜—ȱŠ—ȱœŽ›’˜žœȱ–’œŒ˜—žŒǰȱ’—Œ•ž’—ȱ‘ŽȱŽěŽŒȱ˜ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱŒ˜››ž™’˜—ȱŠ—ȱ serious misconduct.

The production of recommendations is a supplementary, yet important, objective.

ȱ›ŽŒ˜––Ž—ȱ‘Šȱ’ȱŠȱœŽ›Ÿ’—ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ’œȱ‘Ž›ŽŠŽ›ȱ˜ȱ‹ŽȱŠ™™˜’—Žȱ˜ȱŠȱ ›˜•Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ”’—ȱ’œŒžœœŽȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›DZ

Ȋȱ ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱœ›’Œ•¢ȱ˜—ȱŠȱ•’Š’œ˜—ȱ‹Šœ’œǯ

Ȋȱ ‘Žȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ‹ŽȱŽ—ŠŽȱŠœǰȱ˜›ȱ›ŽŠ›ŽȱŠœǰȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ǯ

Ȋȱ ‘Žȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›Ȃœȱž’ŽœȱŠ—ȱž—Œ’˜—œȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹ŽȱŠ™˜•’’ŒŠ•ǯ

Ȋȱ The police member should report to a superior within Victoria Police, not to a ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǯ

Ȋȱ ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹ŽȱŒ•ŽŠ›•¢ȱž—Ž›œ˜˜ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ–Ž–‹Ž›Ȃœȱꛜȱž¢ȱ’œȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǰȱ—˜ȱ to a Minister or to the Government.

Ȋȱ ‘Žȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ•˜ŒŠŽȱ’—ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ™›Ž–’œŽœȱŠ—ȱ‘’œȱ˜›ȱ‘Ž›ȱŠĴŽ—Š—ŒŽȱ Šȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ˜—ȱŠ—ȱȁŠœȱ—ŽŽœȂȱ‹Šœ’œǯȱ

ȱž›‘Ž›ȱ›ŽŒ˜––Ž—ȱ‘Šȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ™˜•’Œ¢ȱŠ—ȱ™›˜˜Œ˜•œȱ‹Žȱ œ›Ž—‘Ž—Žȱ ˜ȱ Ž—œž›Žȱ‘Šȱ™Ž›œ˜——Ž•ȱŠȱ¡ŽŒž’ŸŽȱ•ŽŸŽ•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱŠȱŒ•ŽŠ›ȱž—Ž›œŠ—’—ȱ˜ȱ‘Ž’›ȱ›Žœ™ŽŒ’ŸŽȱ Š—ȱ™›˜™Ž›ȱ›˜•Žœȱ’—ȱŒ˜––ž—’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ ’‘ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱŽ—Ž›Š••¢ȱŠ—ȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱœŠěȱ in particular.

14 Chronology of relevant events2

ŘȱŠ›Œ‘ȱŘŖŖş APM appointed Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police.

ŘśȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŖş ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱȱ’œȱŠ™™˜’—ŽȱŠȱŽ™ž¢ȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ of Victoria Police.

ŗȱ ž•¢ȱŘŖŖş Ž™ž¢ȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŒ˜––Ž—ŒŽœȱž¢ǯ

28 October 2010 Simon Overland authorises release of Victoria Police crime statistics.

27 November 2010 Victorian State election.

ŘŞȱ Š—žŠ›¢ȱŘŖŗŗ Detective Leading Senior Constable Weston applies for 12 months leave without pay from Victoria Police to take up the position of Adviser to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.

15 February 2011 Chief Commissioner Overland provides a confidential briefing document to Minister Ryan that includes references to amendments to the Police Regulation Act 1958.

16 February 2011 ‘Žȱ›Ž–’Ž›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠǰȱ’Œ‘ŠŽ•ȱ Š™Ž•ǰȱ–ŽŽœȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœǯ

28 February 2011 Neil Mitchell interviews Chief Commissioner Overland on 3AW ›ŽŠ›’—ȱŠȱȁ•ŽŠ”Žȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ’—Ž••’Ž—ŒŽȱ‹›’ŽȂȱ›Ž•Š’—ȱ˜ȱŠœœŠž•ȱ statistics for the Melbourne Police Service Area.

8 March 2011 Detective Leading Senior Constable Weston commences duty as a Ministerial Adviser in the office of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.

12 April 2011 ŽŽ’—ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ›ŽŠ›’—ȱ›˜•Žȱ’—ȱ proposed anti-corruption commission.

13 April 2011 Article by Carly Crawford in the Herald Sun titled Police officer’s suicide may have been avoided over email scandal.

Řȱ ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ—˜Žȱ Ȃœȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ˜Žœȱ—˜ȱœžŽœȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘ŠȱŠȱ‘Š—ȱ’—ȱŽŸŽ›¢ȱœ˜›¢ȱ•’œŽȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ chronology, but his involvement in some is irrefutable, and in others, probable.

15 Chronology of relevant events – continued

14 April 2011 Article by Carly Crawford in the Herald SunDZȱSuicide police officer… feared the sack.

15 April 2011 ŽŽ’—ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœǯ

ŗşȱ™›’•ȱŘŖŗŗ Article by Geoff Wilkinson in the Herald SunDZȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ ȱŠ’•ž›Žȱ lets parole violators commit murder.

20 April 2011 Neil Mitchell on 3AW announces that two Deputy Commissioners are planning to leave Victoria Police.

20 April 2011 3AW posts an article on its website titled Police crime database ‘axed’ relating to an interview between Neil Mitchell and Deputy ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŠ•œ‘Žȱ›ŽŠ›’—ȱ‘Žȱ  ȱŠŠ‹ŠœŽǯ

21 April 2011 Article by Grant McArthur and Amelia Harris in the Herald SunDZȱPolice LINK database may never see light of day after $100m blowout.

Follow-up article by Grant McArthur in the Herald SunDZȱPressure mounts on embattled police chief Simon Overland.

2 May 2011 ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠ——˜ž—ŒŽœȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ ’••ȱ›Žœ’—ȱ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ effective from 5 August 2011.

3 May 2011 ›’Œ•Žȱ‹¢ȱ’Œ”ȱŒ Ž—£’ŽȱŠ—ȱ’Œ‘Š›ȱŠ”Ž›ȱ’—ȱThe AgeDZȱPolice Chief heavied on eve of poll.

Article by Mark Buttler in the Herald SunDZȱSir Ken walks as job offer stalls.

5 May 2011 ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱœŽ—œȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱŠ—ȱŽ–Š’•ȱ‘ŽŠŽȱ ȁŠ›˜•ŽŽȱ‘˜–’Œ’Žȱ›ŽŸ’Ž ȱȮȱ’—ȱŒ˜—’Ž—ŒŽȂǯȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ Overland replies to that email.

Article by Mark Buttler and Anne Wright in the Herald SunDZȱ Ombudsman to investigate big bonuses given to police public servants.

6 May 2011 ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ’›ŽŒœȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ˜ȱŠ”Žȱ•ŽŠŸŽȱž—’•ȱ his resignation becomes effective on 5 August 2011.

 ȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽœȱŠȱŒ˜–™•Š’—ȱ›ŽŠ›’—ȱœŽ›’˜žœȱ–’œŒ˜—žŒȱǻœŽŽȱ™ŠŽȱŘŘǰȱ Complaints investigation).

Article by Carly Crawford in the Herald SunDZȱHi-tech police system may be scrapped – Forensic upgrade blow.

16 7 May 2011 ›’Œ•Žȱ‹¢ȱ’Œ”ȱŒ Ž—£’ŽȱŠ—ȱ’Œ‘Š›ȱŠ”Ž›ȱ’—ȱThe AgeDZȱPolice turmoil Sir Ken ordered to leave – clear out your desk – Furore over Williams killing.

Article by Anthony Dowsley and Carly Crawford in the Herald SunDZȱ Dismissed deputy puts force, State in unprecedented crisis.

Chief Commissioner Overland meets with the Premier, Mr Baillieu and the Deputy Premier, Mr Ryan.

şȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗ Article by Carly Crawford, Grant McArthur and Anthony Dowsley in the Herald SunDZȱChief defiant as impasse reaches flashpoint – Overland’s fate goes to Cabinet.

Neil Mitchell interviews Chief Commissioner Overland on 3AW regarding the content of an email between the Chief Commissioner Š—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ‘Šȱ‹ŽŒŠ–Žȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ”—˜ •ŽŽǯ

—šž’›¢ȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱ ˜‘—ȱǻȁ ŠŒ”ȂǼȱžœ‘ȱȱŠ——˜ž—ŒŽǯ

’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱœŽ—œȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠȱ•ŽŽ›ȱŸ’ŠȱŠŒœ’–’•ŽȱŠ›ŽœœŽȱ˜ȱ Minister Ryan notifying of his intention to withdraw his resignation.

14 May 2011 ›’Œ•Žȱ‹¢ȱ’Œ‘Š›ȱŠ”Ž›ȱŠ—ȱ’Œ”ȱŒ Ž—£’Žȱ’—ȱThe Saturday AgeDZȱ Overland’s secret OPI visit.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ—ȱ›ȱ’••ȱ’••Ž¢ȱȱŸ’œ’ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ‘˜žœŽȱ˜ȱ’œŒžœœȱ formally withdrawing his resignation.

17 May 2011 Article by Dylan Welch in The AgeDZȱAnti-terror squad to be axed.

18 May 2011 Article by Dylan Welch in The AgeDZȱOverland rejects warnings on anti- terror squad.

Article by Carly Crawford in the Herald SunDZȱOverland faces fight for more control to police the police – Top cop’s power grab.

21 May 2011 Article by Stuart Rintoul in The Weekend AustralianDZȱTurmoil as Overland’s data guru packs bags.

24 May 2011 Article by Carly Crawford in the Herald SunDZȱHolster snag in firearm rollout.

26 May 2011 Article by Amelia Harris and Peter Mickelborough in the Herald SunDZȱ How police fudge numbers to make you feel safer – Crime stats twisted.

Article by Hedley Thomas in The AustralianDZȱCrimes Act looms large for Simon Overland.

17 Chronology of relevant events – continued

řȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗ ›’Œ•Žȱ‹¢ȱ’Œ‘Š›ȱŠ”Ž›ȱŠ—ȱ’Œ”ȱŒ Ž—£’Žȱ’—ȱThe AgeDZȱBugged: Sir Ken Jones targeted by the OPI.

śȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗ ›’Œ•Žȱ‹¢ȱ Š–ŽœȱŠ–™‹Ž••ȱŠ—ȱ ˜—ȱ Š’•Šȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱSunday Herald SunDZȱ Revealed: How Premier ’s office… Hung me out.

›’Œ•Žȱ‹¢ȱŽ’ȱŽ¡˜—ȱ’—ȱThe AgeDZȱRyan: I should have known of Sir Ken’s secret meeting.

Ŝȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗ ›’Œ•Žȱ‹¢ȱ ˜‘—ȱŽ›žœ˜—ȱ’—ȱThe AustralianDZȱTed Baillieu feels the heat after adviser’s rendezvous with Ken Jones.

Mr Weston advised that approval for him to engage in secondary employment as a Ministerial Adviser is withdrawn.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœ˜˜ȱ˜ —ȱŠ—ȱœŽ—ȱ˜—ȱ•ŽŠŸŽȱ›˜–ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—Ȃœȱ˜’ŒŽǯ

Şȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗ Mr Weston resigns from Victoria Police.

şȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗ Article by Carly Crawford in the Herald SunDZȱInquiry to probe top cop process.

ŗŖȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗ ›’Œ•Žȱ‹¢ȱ Ž’‘ȱ˜˜›ȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱHerald SunDZȱForce command draws thorn from side.

ŗşȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗ ’Œ˜›’Š—ȱ–‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ›Ž™˜›ȱInvestigation into an allegation about ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŒ›’–ŽȱœŠ’œ’Œœ tabled in Parliament.

Chief Commissioner Overland resigns.

18 Relevant persons

Name Position in May 2011

Ms Carly Crawford ˜ž›—Š•’œȱ ’‘ȱŽ•‹˜ž›—ŽȂœȱHerald Sun.

Mr Greg Davies Secretary of the Police Association, Senior Sergeant on leave without pay from Victoria Police.

Mr Paul Denham Ministerial Adviser to Attorney General Robert Clark. ˜›–Ž›ȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŗşşŗȮŗşşşǯ

Mr Ben Hindmarsh Chief of Staff to Minister Ryan.

’›ȱ Ž——Ž‘ȱǻ Ž—Ǽȱ Ž™ž¢ȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ›˜–ȱŘśȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŖşǯȱ˜›–Ž›ȱ ˜—Žœ President of Association of Chief Police Officers for England, Wales Š—ȱ˜›‘Ž›—ȱ ›Ž•Š—ȱŠ—ȱ˜›–Ž›ȱ‘ŽŠȱ˜ȱžœœŽ¡ȱ˜•’ŒŽǯȱ

›ȱ’Œ‘ŠŽ•ȱ Š™Ž• Chief of Staff to Premier Baillieu.

Hon Andrew Minister for Corrections, Minister for Crime Prevention and Minister Œ —˜œ‘ responsible for the establishment of an anti-corruption commission œ’—ŒŽȱŽŒŽ–‹Ž›ȱŘŖŗŖǯȱŽ–‹Ž›ȱ˜›ȱ Ž ȱœ’—ŒŽȱŗşşşǯ

Mr Simon Overland ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ›˜–ȱŘȱŠ›Œ‘ȱŘŖŖşǯ

Hon Peter Ryan Deputy Premier, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for Bushfire Response, Minister for Regional and Rural Development. Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜›ȱ ’™™œ•Š—ȱ˜ž‘ȱœ’—ŒŽȱŗşşŘǯ

›ȱ ˜‘—ȱŠ¢•˜› Deputy Victorian Ombudsman since 2004, previously worked for the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

Mr Bill Tilley MP Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Emergency Services since December 2010. Member for Benambra since 2006. Former member of ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŗşşśȮŘŖŖŜǯ

Mr Michael ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ¡ŽŒž’ŸŽȱ’›ŽŒ˜›ȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱŽŒ‘—˜•˜¢ȱŠ—ȱ Vanderheide —›Šœ›žŒž›ŽǯȱǻŽœ’—Žȱœ‘˜›•¢ȱ‹Ž˜›ŽȱŘŖȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗǯǼ

Mr Tristan Weston Ministerial Police Adviser to Minister Ryan, Detective Leading Senior Constable Victoria Police, on leave without pay.

ŗş Background

Background to the investigation —ȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗȱ ȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱŒ˜–™•Š’—œȱǻ‘›ŽŽǼȱ‘ŠȱŠȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱ ‘Šȱ ž—•Š ž••¢ȱ’œŒ•˜œŽȱœŽ—œ’’ŸŽȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ’—˜›–Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–Ž’Šǯȱ —ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ ˜ȱ the complaints elicited information which led to the commencement of a second ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ǰȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ‘Šœȱ›Žœž•Žȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ǯȱ‘Žȱꛜȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ’œȱŒ˜—’—ž’—ǯ

Own motion investigation ¢ȱȁ˜ —ȱ–˜’˜—Ȃȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ǰȱŒ˜—žŒŽȱ™ž›œžŠ—ȱ˜ȱœŽŒ’˜—ȱŚŚȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱPolice Integrity Act 2008, ‘ŠœȱŽ¡Š–’—ŽDZ

Ȋȱ ‘Žȱ›Ž•Š’˜—œ‘’™ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž——Ž‘ȱǻ Ž—Ǽȱ ˜—Žœȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱŒŠ™ŠŒ’¢ȱŠœȱŠȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ Deputy Commissioner and former Detective Leading Senior Constable Tristan Weston in his capacity as adviser to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.

Ȋȱ Whether that relationship was conducted in a manner consistent with the ™›˜Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŠ—ȱŽ‘’ŒŠ•ȱœŠ—Š›œȱŽ¡™ŽŒŽȱ˜DZ

ƺ ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŒŠœŽȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœǰȱŠȱŽ™ž¢ȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž› ƺ in the case of Mr Weston, a member of Victoria Police.

Ȋȱ Whether the policies, procedures and practices of Victoria Police pertaining to ‘ŽȱŒ˜—žŒȱ˜ȱ›Ž•Š’˜—œ‘’™œȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱœŠěȱŠ—ȱœŽ—’˜›ȱ ’Œ˜›’Šȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱ ˜ĜŒŽ›œȱŠ›ŽȱŠŽšžŠŽǯ

Ȋȱ ‘ŽȱŒ’›Œž–œŠ—ŒŽœȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱœŽŒ˜—Š›¢ȱŽ–™•˜¢–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱĜŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ Minister of Police and Emergency Services.

Ȋȱ Whether the activities of Mr Weston in that secondary employment were lawful Š—ȱŒ˜—œ’œŽ—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘ŽȱŽ‘’ŒŠ•ȱŠ—ȱ™›˜Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱœŠ—Š›œȱŽ¡™ŽŒŽȱ˜ȱŠȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ of Victoria Police.

Ȋȱ Whether the policies, procedures and practices of Victoria Police pertaining to secondary employment by Victoria Police members are adequate.

ž›’œ’Œ’˜— —Ž›ȱ‘ŽȱPolice Integrity Act 2008, ȱ–Š¢ȱŒ˜—žŒȱŠ—ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ˜—ȱ–¢ȱ˜ —ȱ–˜’˜—ȱ into the conduct of any member of Victoria Police to ensure, among other things, that the highest ethical and professional standards are maintained in Victoria Police and that corruption and serious misconduct are detected, investigated and prevented.

20 —ȱ˜›Ž›ȱ˜ȱŠ”Žȱž™ȱŠȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱŠœȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ȱŠ—ȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŸ’œŽ›ǰȱŽŽŒ’ŸŽȱ Leading Senior Constable Weston applied for and was granted permission to undertake secondary employment and to take leave without pay. (See Application for leave without pay and secondary employment.)

Notwithstanding his role as Police Adviser, Mr Weston continued to be bound by his obligations as a member of Victoria Police. He remained subject to the oath he took when he became a Victoria Police member, subject to the Police Regulation Act 1958 and ˜ȱŠ••ȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ —œ›žŒ’˜—œȱŠ—ȱ™˜•’Œ’Žœǯȱ Žȱ›ŽŠ’—Žȱ‘Žȱ™˜ Ž›œȱŠ—ȱ ›Žœ™˜—œ’‹’•’’Žœȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱ˜ěȬž¢ȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ™˜•’ŒŽǰȱ’—Œ•ž’—ȱ‘Žȱ™˜ Ž›ȱ˜ȱŠ››Žœǯȱ Žȱ Šœȱ liable to be recalled to duty, essentially at will, by the Chief Commissioner.

—ȱŠȱ›ŽŒŽ—ȱŠ›•’Š–Ž—Š›¢ȱŽ™˜›3, the Ombudsman obliquely questioned my jurisdiction to investigate the conduct of Mr Weston while he was undertaking œŽŒ˜—Š›¢ȱŽ–™•˜¢–Ž—ȱŠœȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ǯȱ ȱ˜ȱ—˜ȱ˜ž‹ȱ–¢ȱ“ž›’œ’Œ’˜—ǰȱ—˜›ȱ Šœȱ ’ȱšžŽœ’˜—Žȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ ‘˜ȱ Šœȱ•ŽŠ••¢ȱ›Ž™›ŽœŽ—ŽȱŠȱ‘’œȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ȱŠ—ȱ ‘˜œŽȱŒ˜ž—œŽ•ȱŽ•’ŸŽ›ŽȱŠȱœž‹œŠ—’Š•ȱ ›’ĴŽ—ȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›Šȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ǯ

—ȱŠȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ’—ȱ™›’•ȱŘŖŖŝȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—ȱœŠ’ǰȱ’—ȱ›Ž•Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ‘Ž—ȱŽŒ›ŽŠ›¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—DZ

‘ŽȱŽŒ›ŽŠ›¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱ’œȱŠȱœ ˜›—ȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ ˜•’ŒŽǯȱ He calls himself Senior Sergeant. He is currently on leave without pay, seconded ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ǯȱ ȱœŽŽȱ—˜ȱ’쎛Ž—ŒŽȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ‘’œȱœŽŒ˜—–Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ–Š—¢ȱ ˜‘Ž›œȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ˜ĜŒŽ›œȱž—Ž›Š”Žȱ˜ȱ•Š ȱŽ—˜›ŒŽ–Ž—ȱŠŽ—Œ’ŽœǰȱŠœ”˜›ŒŽœȱ Š—ȱ™ŽŠŒŽ”ŽŽ™’—ȱ˜›ŒŽœǯȱ —ȱ–¢ȱŸ’Ž ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž–Š’—œȱŠȱŒ˜–™Ž••Š‹•Žȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ ˜•’ŒŽǯȱ ȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‘Šȱ‘’œȱŒž››Ž—ȱ›˜•ŽȱŠœȱŠȱž—’˜—ȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ•’–’ȱ‘’œȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ being further investigated.4

The same logic should apply to a Victoria Police member undertaking secondary employment anywhere in the Victorian public sector.

—ȱŠȱ›Ž™˜›ȱŠœȱ’›ŽŒ˜›ǰȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ —Ž›’¢ȱ›ȱ›˜ž Ž›ȱœŠ’DZ

Police in both their public and private lives should conduct themselves in a way ‘Šȱ’—œ’••œȱ™ž‹•’ŒȱŒ˜—ꍮ—ŒŽȱ’—ȱ‘Ž’›ȱ’—Ž›’¢ȱŠ—ȱŽ—Ž—Ž›œȱ›Žœ™ŽŒǯȱŠ’•ž›Žȱ˜ȱ give proper regard to the primacy of public duty over personal interest breeds an environment ripe for misconduct and corruption.5

3 Ombudsman Victoria, Investigation into the Office of Police Integrity’s handling of a Complaint, October 2011 4 Ombudsman Victoria, —ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ’—˜ȱŠȱ’œŒ•˜œž›ŽȱŠ‹˜žȱ˜›”ŠŽȂœȱŠ—ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȂœȱ‘Š—•’—ȱ˜ȱŠȱ‹ž••¢’—ȱ and harassment complaint, April 2007 śȱ ’ŒŽȱ˜ȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ —Ž›’¢ȱŽŒŽ–‹Ž›ȱŘŖŖŝȱReport on the ‘Kit Walker’ investigation p22

21 Complaints investigation My investigation of the complaints made on 6 May 2011 has taken a course which, ž—Ž›ȱ ’Œ˜›’Š—ȱ •Š ǰȱ ™Ž›–’œȱ –Žȱ ˜ȱ ›Ž™˜›ȱ –¢ȱ ꗍ’—œȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ –‹žœ–Š—ȱ ‹žȱ prohibits me from discussing or reporting them publicly. Accordingly, there will be œ˜–ŽȱŠ™œȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ—Š››Š’ŸŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ȱŠ—ȱ’—ȱ–¢ȱꗍ’—œǯ

Methodology A range of overt and covert investigative tools were used to undertake this investigation. A total of 20 witnesses provided information to assist the investigation. ˜ž›ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽœŽȱ ’—ŽœœŽœȱ Ž›ŽȱŽ¡Š–’—Žȱ˜—ȱ˜Š‘ȱ˜›ȱŠĜ›–Š’˜—ȱž—Ž›ȱ’Ÿ’œ’˜—ȱřǰȱŠ›ȱŚȱ of the Police Integrity Act 2008ǯȱ ȱ™›Žœ’Žȱ˜ŸŽ›ȱ‘˜œŽȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—œǯ

’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ Šœȱ’ŸŽ—ȱŠ—ȱ˜™™˜›ž—’¢ȱ˜ȱ™Š›’Œ’™ŠŽȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ‹žȱŽŒ•’—Žȱ to do so, other than by the provision of a response from his solicitors received late on ›’Š¢ȱŗŚȱŒ˜‹Ž›ȱŘŖŗŗǯȱ‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ’œȱŒ˜ž—Ž›œ’—Žȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱ••Š—ȱ¢Ž›œȱǯȱ‘Žȱ ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ’œȱ’œŒžœœŽȱ•ŠŽ›ȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ǯȱ ȱ’œȱ›ŽŽ›Ž—ŒŽǰȱ ‘Ž›Žȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—ǰȱ‘›˜ž‘˜žȱ the report.

Legal and policy framework ‘Žȱ•ŽŠ•ȱŠ—ȱ™˜•’Œ¢ȱ›Š–Ž ˜›”ȱŠŠ’—œȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜—žŒȱ ŠœȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›Žȱ’œȱ ’œŒžœœŽȱ’—ȱ™™Ž—’¡ȱ—Ž.

Natural justice ˜™’Žœȱ˜›ȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—ȱŽ¡ŒŽ›™œȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ Ž›Žȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ’—ȱ›Šȱ˜›–Šȱ˜ȱ‘˜œŽȱ witnesses who are named in the report. Some responses have been incorporated into ‘Žȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—ȱŽ¡ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž™˜›ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ‘›˜ž‘ȱ‘’œȱ•Š ¢Ž›ǰȱ™›˜Ÿ’ŽȱŠ—ȱŽ¡Ž—œ’ŸŽȱ ›Žœ™˜—œŽǯȱ —ȱŠ’’˜—ȱ˜ȱ’—Œ˜›™˜›Š’—ȱ‘’œȱŒ˜––Ž—œȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŽ¡ǰȱ ȱ ‘ŠŸŽȱ ’—Œ•žŽȱ Šȱ œž––Š›¢ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱŠœȱŠ—ȱŠĴŠŒ‘–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ’—ȱ™™Ž—’¡ȱ ˜ǯ

22 What the investigation revealed

›’œŠ—ȱ Š–ŽœȱŽœ˜— ›’œŠ—ȱ Š–ŽœȱŽœ˜—ȱ“˜’—Žȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ’—ȱŠ›Œ‘ȱŗşşŜȱŠ—ȱ›Ž–Š’—ŽȱŠȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ ž—’•ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ’—ȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗȱŠȱ‘Žȱ›Š—”ȱ˜ȱŽŽŒ’ŸŽȱŽŠ’—ȱŽ—’˜›ȱ˜—œŠ‹•Žǯ

––Ž’ŠŽ•¢ȱ ™›’˜›ȱ ˜ȱ Œ˜––Ž—Œ’—ȱ œŽŒ˜—Š›¢ȱ Ž–™•˜¢–Ž—ȱ Šœȱ Šȱ ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱ ĜŒŽ›ǰȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ ŠœȱœŠ’˜—ŽȱŠȱ‘ŽȱŽŒž›’¢ȱ —Ž••’Ž—ŒŽȱ ›˜ž™ǯ

Mr Weston was an unsuccessful candidate for the seat of Macedon at the 2010 State election.

Application for leave without pay and secondary employment —ȱŘŞȱ Š—žŠ›¢ȱŘŖŗŗȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ™™•’Žȱ˜›ȱŗŘȱ–˜—‘œȱ•ŽŠŸŽȱ ’‘˜žȱ™Š¢ȱ˜ȱŠ”Žȱž™ȱŠȱ ™˜œ’’˜—ȱŠœȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ȱŠœœ’—Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—ȱ –Ž›Ž—Œ¢ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽœǯȱ —ȱ‘’œȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱœŽŽ”’—ȱ•ŽŠŸŽȱ ’‘˜žȱ™Š¢ǰȱ‘Žȱ ›˜ŽDZ

‘Žȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—žŠ•ȱȱřŖŞȬŚȱ™Ž›–’œȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽŽœȱ˜ȱŠ”Žȱ•ŽŠŸŽȱ ’‘˜žȱ pay to avail themselves of unique opportunities for personal development that ’••ȱ’›ŽŒ•¢ȱŒ˜—›’‹žŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜‹“ŽŒ’ŸŽœȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—ȱ‹Ž—Žęȱ‘Žȱ Ž–™•˜¢ŽŽȂœȱŒŠ›ŽŽ›ȱ’—ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǯ

Mr Weston wrote that his application for leave without pay was consistent with force policy. ŽȱœŠ’DZ

I am aware of the Outside Employment and Interests Policy as contained within ‘Žȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—žŠ•ȱŠ—ȱ–¢ȱ˜‹•’Š’˜—œȱŠ—ȱ›Žœ™˜—œ’‹’•’’Žœȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›ŽŠ›ǯ

The Victoria Police Manual Leave Without Pay Instruction œŠŽœDZ

dzž›’—ȱ™Ž›’˜œȱ˜ȱ•ŽŠŸŽȱ ’‘˜žȱ™Š¢ȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽŽœȱ›Ž–Š’—ȱœž‹“ŽŒȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ Police codes of conduct and ethics.

The Victoria Police Manual Secondary Employment Instruction states:

‘Ž›Žȱ–žœȱ‹Žȱ—˜ȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Žœȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ‘Žȱž—Œ’˜—œȱŠ—ȱ›Žœ™˜—œ’‹’•’’Žœȱ of an employee and any private pursuits caused by outside employment. In some ’—œŠ—ŒŽœȱŽŸŽ—ȱ‘ŽȱŠ™™ŽŠ›Š—ŒŽȱ˜ȱŠȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›ŽœȱŒ˜ž•ȱ’œŽ•ȱ“Ž˜™Š›’œŽȱ‘Žȱ ™ž‹•’Œȱ’—Ž›’¢ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽŽȱ˜›ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǯ

At paragraph 8.2 under the heading ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ —Ž›Žœ the instruction states:

–™•˜¢ŽŽœȱ–Š¢ȱŽŸŽ•˜™ȱ™›’ŸŠŽȱ’—Ž›Žœœȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ–’‘ȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ ’‘ȱ‘Ž’›ȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ ž’Žœǯȱ‘Ž›ŽȱœžŒ‘ȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Žœȱ˜ŒŒž›œǰȱ’ȱ–žœȱ‹Žȱ›Žœ˜•ŸŽȱ’—ȱŠŸ˜ž›ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ™ž‹•’Œȱ’—Ž›ŽœȱŠ—ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ›Š‘Ž›ȱ‘Š—ȱ‘Šȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽŽȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—Žǯ

23 Appointment as a Ministerial Officer On 24 February 2011 Detective Leading Senior Constable Weston signed a contract of Ž–™•˜¢–Ž—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž–’Ž›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěȱŠœȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ˜ȱ Adviser. He commenced duties on 8 March. The contract is described as a contract of employment for the purposes of section 98 of the Public Administration Act 2004. The contract ˜Žœȱ—˜ȱŠœœ’—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ˜ȱŠȱ™Š›’Œž•Š›ȱ’—’œŽ›ǯȱ••ȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›œȱ Š›ŽȱŽ–™•˜¢Žȱž—Ž›ȱŠȱŽ—Ž›’ŒȱŒ˜—›ŠŒȱŠ—ȱŠ›Žȱ‘Ž—ȱŠœœ’—Žȱ˜ȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›ǯȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽ›ȱ ’œȱ‘Ž›ŽŠŽ›ȱ›Žšž’›Žȱ˜ȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěȱ˜ȱ‘Šȱ’—’œŽ›ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ Šœȱ Šœœ’—Žȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ˜ĜŒŽȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›ȱ ˜›ȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱ Š—ȱ –Ž›Ž—Œ¢ȱ Ž›Ÿ’ŒŽœȱ Šœȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱ Ÿ’œŽ›ǯȱ›ȱŽ—ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ Šœȱ‘Žȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—ȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǯ

¢ȱŒ•ŠžœŽȱŗŚǯŗȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—›ŠŒǰȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ȱ–žœȱ—˜DZ

…use or disclose to any person any ˜—ꍮ—’Š•ȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱexcept: (i) in the proper performance of his/her responsibilities and duties under this Contract, (ii) where compelled by law and every lawful means available to the Employee has been used to prevent disclosure, or ǻ’’’Ǽȱ’ȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽ›ȱ‘Šœȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŠž‘˜›’œŽȱ’—ȱ ›’’—ȱ‹¢ȱ‘Žȱ–™•˜¢Ž›ȱ˜ȱ˜ȱœ˜ǯ

The position description included in the contract requires the Ministerial Adviser to ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ™˜•’Œ¢ȱŠŸ’ŒŽȱ˜ȱ’—’œŽ›œDZ

dz˜—ȱŠȱ ’Žȱ›Š—Žȱ˜ȱ’œœžŽœȱŠ—Ȧ˜›ȱ‘’‘ȱ•ŽŸŽ•ȱ–Ž’Šȱ’—Ž›ŠŒ’˜—ȱ˜—ȱ–ŠĴŽ›œȱ‘Šȱ ‘ŠŸŽȱœ’—’ęŒŠ—ȱ’–™ŠŒȱ˜—ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ˜›ȱ™˜•’’ŒŠ•ȱ™›˜ŒŽœœŽœǯȱ

The role includes providing advice to the Minister, developing briefs, evaluating ™˜•’Œ¢ǰȱ ŽŸŽ•˜™’—ȱ –Ž’Šȱ œ›ŠŽ¢ǰȱ ™›˜Ÿ’’—ȱ Š—ȱ ›ŽŒŽ’Ÿ’—ȱ Œ˜–™•Ž¡ȱ Š—ȱ œŽ—œ’’ŸŽȱ ’—˜›–Š’˜—ǰȱ—Ž˜’Š’˜—ǰȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ˜ȱœŠ”Ž‘˜•Ž›œȱŠ—ȱ•ŽŠ’—ȱœ›ŠŽ’Œȱ™›˜“ŽŒœǯȱ

—ȱŠ—ȱ’—Ž›Ÿ’Ž ȱ ’‘ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œǰȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ™›˜žŒŽȱŠȱ•’œȱ˜ȱž—Œ’˜—œȱ‘Žȱ said he discussed with Mr Weston prior to Mr Weston commencing as Police Adviser. ‘Žȱž—Œ’˜—œȱ’—Œ•žŽDZ

Ȋȱ —Ž›œŠ—ǰȱ–˜—’˜›ȱŠ—ȱ™›˜Ÿ’ŽȱŠŸ’ŒŽȱ˜—ȱ™˜•’Œ’—ȱ–ŠĴŽ›œǯ Ȋȱ Provide advice on legislation and regulations. Ȋȱ Monitor election promise implementation. Ȋȱ Prepare responses to police-related media enquiries. Ȋȱ ›Ž™Š›Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱȁžŽœ’˜—ȱ’–ŽȂȱ‹›’Žę—œȱŠœȱ›Žšž’›Žǯ Ȋȱ ›ŠȱŠ•”’—ȱ™˜’—œȱŠ—ȱ‹›’Žę—œȱ ‘Ž›Žȱ›Žšž’›Žǯ Ȋȱ ›Ž™Š›ŽȱŒ˜–™•Ž¡ȱ™˜›˜•’˜ȱŒ˜››Žœ™˜—Ž—ŒŽǯ Ȋȱ —Ž›Š”Žȱ›ŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱ ‘Ž›Žȱ›Žšž’›Žǯ Ȋȱ ’Š’œŽȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȂœȱĜŒŽǯ Ȋȱ ’Š’œŽȱ ’‘ȱŽ™Š›–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ žœ’ŒŽǯ

24 Ȋȱ Liaison with relevant stakeholders, including industry representatives, the Police œœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ǰȱŠŽȦŽŽ›Š•ȱ’—’œŽ›œǰȱŠ—ȱŠŽȱŠ›•’Š–Ž—Š›’Š—œȱ˜—ȱ™˜›˜•’˜ȱ–ŠĴŽ›œǯ Ȋȱ ’Š’œŽȱ ’‘ȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—ȱ™˜›˜•’˜ȱŠŽ—Œ’ŽœǰȱŠž‘˜›’’ŽœȱŠ—ȱŒ˜––’ĴŽŽœǯȱ

Prior to commencing his employment, Mr Weston undertook a full day Ministerial Šěȱ ˜›”œ‘˜™ȱ ‘›˜ž‘ȱ ‘Žȱ žœ›Š•’Š—ȱ Š—ȱ Ž ȱ ŽŠ•Š—ȱ Œ‘˜˜•ȱ ˜ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ǯȱ ‘’œȱ›Š’—’—ȱ˜ŒžœŽȱ˜—ȱ‘Žȱ’—Ž›’¢ȱ›Žšž’›Žȱ˜ȱŠȱ–’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱœŠěŽ›ȱŠ—ȱ’—Œ•žŽȱ presentations by the Deputy Ombudsman and Auditor General.

Role of Ministerial Police Adviser ›˜–ȱŠ™™›˜¡’–ŠŽ•¢ȱŗşŞŘȱ˜ȱŗşşŘǰȱŠȱœŽ›Ÿ’—ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ˜ĜŒŽ›ȱŠȱ‘Žȱ›Š—”ȱ˜ȱž™Ž›’—Ž—Ž—ȱ œŽ›ŸŽȱŠœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ǰȱ‹ŠœŽȱ’—ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ˜ĜŒŽœǯȱ˜››Žœ™˜—’—•¢ǰȱ Šȱ ž™Ž›’—Ž—Ž—ȱ œŽ›ŸŽȱ Šœȱ ‘’Žȱ ˜ȱ Šěȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ‘’Žȱ ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ǯȱ‘Žȱ ˜ȱ ž™Ž›’—Ž—Ž—œȱ•’Š’œŽȱ˜—ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–ŠĴŽ›œǯȱ

‘ŽȱžœŽȱ˜ȱŠȱœ ˜›—ȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱŠœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ Šœȱ’œŒ˜—’—žŽȱ ’‘ȱ‘ŽȱŒ‘Š—Žȱ’—ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ’—ȱŗşşŘǰȱŠœȱŠȱ›Žœž•ȱ˜ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ›ȱ Ž——ŽĴȱ ‹ŽŒŠ–Žȱ Premier. During this period, Victoria Police liaised with the Government through the Ž™Š›–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ žœ’ŒŽǯȱ

’‘ȱŠȱž›‘Ž›ȱŒ‘Š—Žȱ˜ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ’—ȱŗşşşǰȱŠȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ˜ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ ’Š’œ˜—ȱ ĜŒŽ›ȱŠȱ —œ™ŽŒ˜›ȱ›Š—”ȱ Šœȱ’—›˜žŒŽȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ǰȱ‹žȱ —˜ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǯȱ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ’Š’œ˜—ȱĜŒŽ›ȱ•’Š’œŽȱ’›ŽŒ•¢ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǯȱ‘Žȱ›˜•Žȱ Šœȱœž‹œŽšžŽ—•¢ȱŽœŒ›’‹ŽȱŠœȱŽ™ž¢ȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěȱ ˜ȱ‘Žȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŠ—ȱ–Š—ŠŽȱ‘Žȱ̘ ȱ˜ȱ’—˜›–Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱ›˜–ȱ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›ȂœȱĜŒŽȱŠ—ȱŽ™Š›–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ žœ’ŒŽȱ™˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜ĜŒŽ›œǯȱ

››Š—Ž–Ž—œȱŒ‘Š—Žȱ’—ȱŒ˜‹Ž›ȱŘŖŖŝǰȱ ‘Ž—ȱŠȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ —œ™ŽŒ˜›ȱŠ—ȱ˜›–Ž›ȱ Ž™ž¢ȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ Šœȱ’ŸŽ—ȱ•ŽŠŸŽȱ ’‘˜žȱ™Š¢ȱ˜ȱŠ”Žȱ ž™ȱŠȱž••Ȭ’–Žȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱŠœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ‘Ž—ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—ȱ–Ž›Ž—Œ¢ȱ Services, Mr Bob Cameron.

With the election of the current Government in November 2010, and the appointment ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ˜—˜ž›Š‹•ŽȱŽŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱŠœȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ’—’œŽ›ǰȱŠ—ȱ˜ěŽ›ȱ Šœȱ–ŠŽȱ‹¢ȱ‘Ž—ȱ‘’Žȱ ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ˜ȱ™•ŠŒŽȱ˜—Žȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱœŽ—’˜›ȱœŠěȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȂœȱĜŒŽȱ˜›ȱŠȱ period of three months to assist with the process of transition into Government. This ˜ěŽ›ȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱŠŒŒŽ™Žǯȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ŠœȱŠ—ȱ’—’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ ŠœȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›’—ȱ its own arrangements.

ž‹œŽšžŽ—•¢ǰȱŽŽŒ’ŸŽȱ ŽŠ’—ȱ Ž—’˜›ȱ ˜—œŠ‹•Žȱ Žœ˜—ȱ Šœȱ ˜ěŽ›Žȱ ‘Žȱ ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ ˜ȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŸ’œŽ›ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǯȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ—˜ȱ’—Ÿ˜•ŸŽ–Ž—ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ selection of Mr Weston. At one point it was suggested to the Chief Commissioner that ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‹ŽȱœŽŒ˜—Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱŠœȱŠȱŽ™Š›–Ž—Š•ȱ’Š’œ˜—ȱĜŒŽ›ǰȱ‹žȱ this was not considered appropriate.

25 ‘Žȱ™›’–Š›¢ȱž—Œ’˜—ȱ˜ȱŠȱŽ™Š›–Ž—Š•ȱ’Š’œ˜—ȱĜŒŽ›ȱ’œȱ˜ȱŠŒ’•’ŠŽȱ ˜˜ȱ Œ˜––ž—’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ ĜŒŽȱ Š—ȱ ‘Žȱ Ž™Š›–Ž—ǯȱ •‘˜ž‘ȱ Šȱ Ž™Š›–Ž—Š•ȱ’Š’œ˜—ȱĜŒŽ›ȱ–Š¢ȱ ˜›”ȱ˜žȱ˜ȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǰȱ‘Žȱ˜›ȱœ‘Žȱ›Ž–Š’—œȱ an employee of the Department and subject to the direction and control of the Department head.

—ȱ ‘’œȱ ŒŠœŽǰȱ ‘Žȱ ‘’Žȱ ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ ’ȱ —˜ȱ Œ˜—œ’Ž›ȱ ’ȱ Š™™›˜™›’ŠŽȱ ˜›ȱ ŽŽŒ’ŸŽȱ ŽŠ’—ȱ Ž—’˜›ȱ ˜—œŠ‹•Žȱ Žœ˜—ȱ ˜ȱ ‹Žȱ Šȱ Ž™Š›–Ž—Š•ȱ ’Š’œ˜—ȱ ĜŒŽ›ǯȱ‘Žȱ‘’Žȱ Commissioner indicated, however, that if the Minister wished to appoint Mr Weston ŠœȱŠ—ȱŠŸ’œŽ›ǰȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ—˜ȱ˜‹“ŽŒ’˜—ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Ž—ȱœž‹–’ĴŽȱ‘’œȱŠ™™•’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ for permission to undertake secondary employment and to take leave without pay.

ȱ‘’œȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ‘Šȱ˜ěŽ›Žȱ ˜ȱ™•ŠŒŽȱŠȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜‘Ž›ȱ‘Š—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ’—ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǰȱ‹žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ preferred Mr Weston. According to Mr Weston, Minister Ryan wanted someone with a strong bullshit detector, to keep ’em honest. ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’DZ

I did know that Mr Ryan did emphasise to the Chief Commissioner, so I am led to believe, that anything I requested was to be treated as if it was a request from the Minister…

’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ™Ž›œ˜—Š••¢ȱŒ˜—ŸŽ¢Žȱ any such message to Mr Overland.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽDZȱ

Mr Overland resented the fact that I was there… he refused to meet with me… it was beneath him to deal with me… I think they – they had a bit of contempt for me to be honest in terms that they felt they were far more important than I was.

™™›˜ŸŠ•ȱ˜›ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜ȱž—Ž›Š”ŽȱœŽŒ˜—Š›¢ȱŽ–™•˜¢–Ž—ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ ŒŠ–Žǰȱž•’–ŠŽ•¢ǰȱ›˜–ȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ǯȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œǰȱ ‘˜ ŽŸŽ›ǰȱ that ‘ŠŸ’—ȱŠȱŽŽŒ’ŸŽȱŽ—’˜›ȱ˜—œŠ‹•Žȱ˜ěŽ›’—ȱŠŸ’ŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ ’—Ȃȱ ‘›’••ȱ –Žǯȱ Mr Overland said he would have preferred a member of higher rank in such a role. ˜—Ž‘Ž•Žœœǰȱ‘ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ•˜˜”Žȱ˜›ȱ˜™™˜›ž—’’Žœȱ˜ȱŽ¡Ž—ȱ‘ŽȱžœžŠ•ȱ Œ˜ž›Žœ’Žœȱ ˜ȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ ‘Ž—ȱ‘Ž’›ȱ™Š‘œȱŒ›˜œœŽȱ‹žȱŽ•ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ–ŠŽȱŽŸŽ›¢ȱŽě˜›ȱ˜ȱŠŸ˜’ȱ‘’–ǯȱ ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱœŠ’ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ›Š›Ž•¢ȱŠĴŽ—ŽȱŠ—¢ȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ’—ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ‘Žȱǻ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—Ǽȱ was involved. Mr Overland said he is not aware of Mr Weston ever asking to meet with him, but would have been happy to do so.

ȱ’œȱ•’”Ž•¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ›ŽœŽ—Žȱ ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ™Ž›ŒŽ’ŸŽȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȂœȱŠĴ’žŽȱ˜ȱ‘’–ǯȱ The reasons for his perception are unclear.

ž››Ž—•¢ǰȱ ‘Žȱ •’Š’œ˜—ȱ ž—Œ’˜—œȱ ’‘ȱ ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ ˜ĜŒŽȱ Š›Žȱ ž—Ž›Š”Ž—ȱ ‹¢ȱ ‘Žȱ ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ’—ȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ǰȱ ‘˜ȱ’œȱ’—ȱ›Žž•Š›ȱŒ˜—ŠŒȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǯȱ

26 ›ŠŒ’ŒŠ•ȱ ˜›”’—œȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŽ™ž¢ȱ›Ž–’Ž›ȂœȱĜŒŽ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ ˜›”Žȱ ’‘ȱ˜‘Ž›ȱŠŸ’œŽ›œȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŽ™ž¢ȱ›Ž–’Ž›Ȃœȱœž’Žȱ ˜ȱ ˜ĜŒŽœȱ ’—ȱ ›ŽŠœž›¢ȱ•ŠŒŽǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ ‘˜ȱ ŠœȱŽ¡Š–’—Žȱ‹Ž˜›Žȱ–Žȱž—Ž›ȱœž––˜—œǰȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›ȱ ŠœȱŸŽ›¢ȱ‹žœ¢ȱŠ—ȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱ˜Ž—ȱ’—ȱŠĴŽ—Š—ŒŽȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›ŽŠœž›¢ȱ•ŠŒŽȱ˜ĜŒŽǯȱ Žȱ‘Šȱ˜‘Ž›ȱ™˜›˜•’˜ȱ›Žœ™˜—œ’‹’•’’ŽœǰȱŠ—ȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ’—ȱŠ›•’Š–Ž—ȱ ˜žœŽȱŠ—ȱŠ—ȱŽ•ŽŒ˜›ŠŽȱ ˜ĜŒŽȱ’—ȱ ’™™œ•Š—ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱœ™Ž—ȱŽŸŽ›¢ȱ›’Š¢ȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ Ž•ŽŒ˜›ŠŽǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’DZ

I would generally see him at least once a week, but often it’d be passing in the corridor.

Mr Weston said his communication with the Minister was almost invariably ‘›˜ž‘ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǰȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱŠ—ȱ‘Šȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱŠ—ȱ Mr Hindmarsh spoke several times a day.

Mr Weston said there may have been one or two occasions when he bypassed the ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěȱŠ—ȱ Ž—ȱ’›ŽŒ•¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ǯȱ

‘›˜ž‘˜žȱ‘Žȱ’–Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ Šœȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȂœȱĜŒŽǰȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱ was engaged in negotiations for a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement. Mr Weston said that he would sometimes discuss issues relating to the Enterprise Bargaining ›ŽŽ–Ž—ȱ ’‘ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜ȱŠœœ’œȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱž—Ž›œŠ—’—ȱ˜ȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—ȱ’œœžŽœǯ

Media management ›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ œŠ’ȱ ’—ȱ ŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ ‘Šȱ  ˜ȱ –Ž’Šȱ •’Š’œ˜—ȱ ˜ĜŒŽ›œȱ Ž›Žȱ Ž–™•˜¢Žȱ ’—ȱ ‘Žȱ Ž™ž¢ȱ›Ž–’Ž›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǰȱ‹žȱ–˜œȱ–Ž’Šȱ’œœžŽœȱ›Ž•Š’—ȱ˜ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ ˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ›ŽŽ››Žȱ˜ȱ Mr Weston. According to Mr Weston, Minister Ryan did not involve himself in media šžŽ›’Žœȱ›Ž•Š’—ȱ˜ȱ™˜•’ŒŽǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ’—ȱŠ’•¢ȱŒ˜—ŠŒȱ ’‘ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—Ȃœȱ ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǰȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ǰȱŠ—ȱ ˜ž•ȱ”ŽŽ™ȱ‘’–ȱž™ŠŽǰȱ™Š›’Œž•Š›•¢ȱ’—ȱ›Ž•Š’˜—ȱ ˜ȱŽ—ŠŽ–Ž—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ–Ž’Šǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’DZ

I would let him know I was going to speak to someone. I would not particularly Ž••ȱ‘’–ȱ‘Žȱ—Š–Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ™Ž›œ˜—dzȱ ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ŠœȱŠ—¢‘’—ȱœ’—’ęŒŠ—ȱ ‘Ž—ȱ ȱŒŠ–Žȱ back, I’d certainly tell him.

›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ–Š’—Š’—ŽȱŠȱprofessional distance from journalistsȱŠ—ȱŽ¡™ŽŒŽȱ‘’œȱŠŸ’œŽ›œȱ˜ȱ˜ȱ•’”Ž ’œŽǯȱ›˜–ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘Ȃœȱ™Ž›œ™ŽŒ’ŸŽǰȱ it was ˜—Žȱ‘’—ȱ‘ŠȱŽŽ›ȱ¢Š—Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ’œȱ”—˜ —ȱ˜›ǯ

’—’œŽ›ȱ ¢Š—ȱ ˜•ȱ  ȱ ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ ‘Šȱ ›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ œ‘˜ž•ȱ ˜—•¢ȱ ŽŸŽ›ȱ ‘ŠŸŽȱ ‹ŽŽ—ȱ speaking with the media in a relatively limited sense.

27 Mr Weston’s relationship with Mr Bill Tilley MP Mr Weston said in evidence he was an Adviser to the Government, not just the Police Minister. Accordingly, he would meet from time to time with other members of Š›•’Š–Ž—ǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱœ™˜”Žȱ›Žž•Š›•¢ȱ˜ȱ›ȱ’••ȱ’••Ž¢ȱȱȮȱ’—ȱŠŒȱ–˜›Žȱ˜Ž—ȱ‘Š—ȱ he spoke to Minister Ryan.

Mr Tilley, a former member of Victoria Police, is Parliamentary Secretary for Police Š—ȱ–Ž›Ž—Œ¢ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽœǯȱŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ›ȱ’••Ž¢ȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽDZ

…Had lost its way in some respect, that we used to be regarded as the best police force in Australia…

‘’œȱ ŠœȱŠ•œ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŸ’Ž ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŠ›Žȱ‘ŽȱŠ™™˜’—–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘’Žȱ ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ’¡˜—ȱŠœȱa watershed moment in the deterioration of Victoria Police. He said in his discussions with Mr Tilley we’d vent a lot.

›ȱ’••Ž¢ȱŠŸŽȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱŠȱŠ—ȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ǯȱ ŽȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠœȱŠȱ›’Ž—ǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱœž™™˜›Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŠ™™•’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ˜›ȱŠȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱŠœȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ǯȱ Žȱ said he and Mr Weston would speak on the telephone daily, perhaps a number of times.

Mr Tilley said in evidence he and Mr Weston had a shared concern about what they considered to be the state of Victoria Police. He said neither he nor Mr Weston shared ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—Ȃœȱ™ž‹•’Œ•¢ȱŽŒ•Š›ŽȱŒ˜—ꍮ—ŒŽȱ’—ȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ǯ

›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŸ’Ž œȱ˜—ȱ’–˜—ȱŸŽ›•Š— ȱ‘’œȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’DZ

ȱ Šœȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŸ’Ž ǰȱŠ—ȱ ȱ–ŠŽȱ—˜ȱœŽŒ›Žȱ˜ȱ’ǰȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ ŠœȱŠȱ‹Šȱęȱ˜›ȱ‘Žȱ police force, and that ultimately the only thing I think that would resolve it would be for him – him to be no longer the Chief Commissioner, and not just him, but also much of the structure that – that’d been created and the people that had been promoted about him I think were inept and incompetent…

I had concerns that he was not apolitical, that he was working to – against this Government… I had concerns about his honesty… I was aware that anything that could be done to frustrate the then-Opposition was done. He rang up [then shadow Minister] Andrew McIntosh and… said to him that he was to stop making enquiries into the police rosters…

Mr Weston said he believed Mr Overland had been involved in an orchestrated campaign to interfere with the lawful democratic process. He said he was told by people from the AFP [Australian Federal Police] that Mr Overland couldn’t be trusted and was a political animal.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‘Žȱ—Ž›™›’œŽȱŠ›Š’—’—ȱ›ŽŽ–Ž—ȱ—Ž˜’Š’˜—œDZȱ

28 …were being deliberately stalled by the Chief Commissioner to perhaps drive a wedge between Government and the Police Association.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’DZ

I certainly had made my views known to both Mr Hindmarsh and the Minister in relation to [Mr Overland].

Mr Weston was invited to substantiate, or elaborate upon, the allegations he made against Mr Overland.

—ȱ›ŽŠ›ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ••ŽŠ’˜—ȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ‘Šȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ’—Ÿ˜•ŸŽȱ’—ȱŠ—ȱ˜›Œ‘Žœ›ŠŽȱ campaign to interfere with the lawful democratic process, Mr Weston referred to the release of crime statistics several days before the caretaker period leading up to the ŘŖŗŖȱŠŽȱŽ•ŽŒ’˜—ǯȱ ŽȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ‘’œȱŠœDZ

…an orchestrated campaign by senior people within the Department of Justice, ›Ž–’Ž›ȱŠ—ȱŠ‹’—ŽȱŠ—ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Ž›Žȱž—“žœ•¢ȱŠ—ȱž—•Š ž••¢ȱ ’‘ȱ the democratic process.

—ȱŠȱ›Ž™˜›ȱŠ‹•Žȱ’—ȱŠ›•’Š–Ž—ȱ’—ȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗǰȱ‘Žȱ’Œ˜›’Š—ȱ–‹žœ–Š—ȱ ›Š’œŽȱ Œ˜—ŒŽ›—œȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȂœȱŽŒ’œ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ›Ž•ŽŠœŽȱ‘ŽȱœŠ’œ’Œœǰȱ‹žȱ did not suggest that his actions were dishonest or designed to interfere unjustly and unlawfully with the democratic process.6

When invited to elaborate on his concerns Š‹˜žȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—Ȃœȱ‘˜—Žœ¢ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ ›ŽŽ››Žȱ˜ȱ–žŒ‘ȱ™ž‹•’Œ’œŽȱŒ›’’Œ’œ–ȱ‹¢ȱ žœ’ŒŽȱ Š–Žœȱ••œ˜™ȱ˜ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ’ŸŽ—ȱ‹¢ȱ Mr Overland in a case in 2001.7

Minister McIntosh’s response ‘Žȱ ˜—˜ž›Š‹•Žȱ—›Ž ȱŒ —˜œ‘ȱ’œȱ—˜ ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ˜››ŽŒ’˜—œǰȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ Crime Prevention and Minister responsible for the establishment of an anti-corruption Œ˜––’œœ’˜—ǯȱ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ȱ™Š›’Œ’™ŠŽȱ’—ȱŠȱŸ˜•ž—Š›¢ȱ’—Ž›Ÿ’Ž ȱ ’‘ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œǯȱ He was asked about the telephone call from Chief Commissioner Overland described by Mr Weston.

The Minister said that at a time when he was a shadow Minister, he had sought police ›˜œŽ›œȱž—Ž›ȱ›ŽŽ˜–ȱ˜ȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ǯȱ ’œȱ›ŽšžŽœȱ Šœȱ›Žœ’œŽȱ‹¢ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǰȱ’—ȱ part because of the time said to be involved in locating and collating the rosters and ›ŽŠŒ’—ȱ—Š–Žœǯȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŽ˜–ȱ˜ȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱ’œœžŽȱŽ—Ž›ŠŽȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›Š‹•Žȱ™ž‹•’Œ’¢ǯȱ —ȱ‘Žȱ–’œȱ˜ȱ‘’œǰȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱŠȱŒŠ••ȱ›˜–ȱ‘Žȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ ‘˜ȱ ŠŒŒžœŽȱ‘’–ȱ˜ȱ›ž——’—ȱŠȱ–Ž’ŠȱŒŠ–™Š’—ȱ’—ȱ›Ž•Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŽ˜–ȱ˜ȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱ dispute and said that if the campaign continued, Mr Overland would respond. That Šœȱ‘ŽȱŽ¡Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ǯ

6 Ombudsman Victoria —ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ’—˜ȱŠ—ȱŠ••ŽŠ’˜—ȱŠ‹˜žȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŒ›’–ŽȱœŠ’œ’Œœǯ 7 Eaton v Overland FCA 1834 (21 December 2001).

Řş ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Žȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‘Žȱ‘ŠȱŠȱ ™›ŽĴ¢ȱ ˜˜ȱ ˜›”’—ȱ relationship with Mr Overland and was surprised and disappointed by the call. He said, however, that he did not feel intimidated and that it never entered his contemplation ˜ȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ˜ȱ ǯȱ

›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ǰȱ’—ȱŠ—ȱ’—Ž›Ÿ’Ž ȱ ’‘ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œǰȱŠŒ”—˜ •ŽŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱquite an acrimonious conversation ’‘ȱ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ•ŽĴŽ›œȱ‹Ž’—ȱ ›’ĴŽ—ȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱȱ Œ —˜œ‘ǰȱŒ˜–™•Š’—’—ȱŠ‹˜žȱŠ••ŽŽȱŠ’•ž›Žœȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ˜ȱ™›˜™Ž›•¢ȱ›Žœ™˜—ȱ ˜ȱ™™˜œ’’˜—ȱ›ŽŽ˜–ȱ˜ȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱ›ŽšžŽœœǰȱ Ž›ŽȱŠ™™ŽŠ›’—ȱ’—ȱ ‘Žȱ ™›Žœœȱ before I actually received a copy. ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŠ›Žȱ‘’œȱŠœȱŠ—ȱž—Š’›ȱŠĴŠŒ”ȱ˜—ȱ Victoria Police.

Minister Ryan’s response ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŽ¡™›ŽœœŽȱ‘’œȱ ’œŠ™™›˜ŸŠ•ȱ of Mr Overland in strong terms and Ž•ȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜ž•ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ“˜‹ȱ‹ŽĴŽ›ǯ Minister Ryan said, however, that he made it clear to Mr Weston that Mr Overland had been duly appointed, that Minister Ryan intended to work with Mr Overland and that Mr Overland would retain his position unless and until circumstances intervened.

ȱ’œȱŒ•ŽŠ›ȱ›˜–ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ‘’œȱ—ŽŠ’ŸŽȱŸ’Ž ȱ˜ȱ ›ȱ ŸŽ›•Š—ȱ Šœȱ ˜›–Žȱ•Š›Ž•¢ȱ‹Ž˜›Žȱ‘Žȱ˜˜”ȱž™ȱ‘’œȱŠ™™˜’—–Ž—ȱŠœȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŸ’œŽ›ǯȱ —ȱ‘Žȱ Š¢ȱ’ȱ Šœȱ Ž¡™•Š’—Žȱ˜ȱ–Žȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ’ȱ ŠœȱŠ—ȱ˜™’—’˜—ȱ‹ŠœŽȱ˜—ȱ‘Žȱ‘’——Žœȱ˜ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ ‘ŽŠŸ’•¢ȱ˜ŸŽ›•Š’ȱ ’‘ȱ›ž–˜ž›ǰȱœ™ŽŒž•Š’˜—ȱŠ—ȱ™›Ž“ž’ŒŽǯȱ ȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱŠȱ‹Š•Š—ŒŽȱŸ’Ž ǯȱ ȱ ŠœȱŠ™™Š›Ž—•¢ȱ—˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȂœȱŸ’Ž ȱ˜›ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȂœȱŸ’Ž ǯȱ ȱ Šœǰȱ—˜—Ž‘Ž•Žœœǰȱ ŠȱŸ’Ž ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ Šœȱ˜—•¢ȱ˜˜ȱ ’••’—ȱ˜ȱœ‘Š›ŽDZ

…some people did ask me advice as to what my views on Mr Overland was, I wasn’t afraid to tell him that I thought that ultimately he was going to wreak untold damage on both the Government and the police force and that he was an inappropriate Chief Commissioner and – I think I communicated that to a number of MPs and Cabinet Ministers who asked what my view was and I – I didn’t resile from that… and ultimately I think Mr Overland would actively be seeking to be a thorn in the side of Government for the term of the Government.

Mr Overland’s response ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ǰȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ’—Ž›Ÿ’Ž ȱ ’‘ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œǰȱŒŠŽ˜›’ŒŠ••¢ȱ Ž—’Žȱ undermining the Government. He said none of the allegations made by Mr Weston Š›Žȱœž™™˜›Žȱ‹¢ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ—˜—ŽȱŽ¡’œœǰȱŠ—ǰȱ’ȱ’ȱ’ǰȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ˜ž‹ȱ‹Žȱ ŒŠ••Žȱž™˜—ȱ˜ȱŠ—œ Ž›ȱ’—ȱŠ—ȱŠ™™›˜™›’ŠŽȱ˜›ž–ǯȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ allegations as an outrageous slur.

30 ‘Žȱ›Ž•Š’˜—œ‘’™ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ

Sir Ken Jones ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ ŠœȱŠ—ȱž—œžŒŒŽœœž•ȱŠ™™•’ŒŠ—ȱ˜›ȱ‘Žȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ˜ȱ Victoria Police but accepted a position as a Deputy Commissioner soon after.

—ȱ‘’œȱŒŠ™ŠŒ’¢ȱŠœȱŠȱŽ™ž¢ȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ‘Šȱ˜ŸŽ›Š›Œ‘’—ȱ›Žœ™˜—œ’‹’•’¢ȱ for the Crime Department and Ethical Standards Department. He was also Chair of ‘Žȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱŠ—ŠŽ–Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱŽŒž›’¢ȱ˜––’ĴŽŽǯȱ‘’œȱ Šœȱ™Ž›‘Š™œȱ the most sensitive of all portfolios in Victoria Police and required strict adherence to ‘Žȱȁ—ŽŽȱ˜ȱ”—˜ Ȃȱ™›’—Œ’™•Žǯȱ

Mr Weston approaches Sir Ken Jones about the proposed anti-corruption commission ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ”—˜ ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœǰȱŽ™ž¢ȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ™›’˜›ȱ˜ȱŠ”’—ȱ up his employment as Police Adviser on 8 March 2011.

ŽȱꛜȱŒ˜—ŠŒŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜ȱ˜‹Š’—ȱ‘’œȱ˜™’—’˜—ȱ˜—ȱsomething to do with policing in the UK. They arranged to meet, but Mr Weston had to cancel the meeting for personal reasons.

›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ—Ž¡ȱŒ˜—ŠŒȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ Šœȱ’—ȱ™›’•ȱŠ—ȱ Šœȱ‘Žȱ›Žœž•ȱ˜ȱŠȱ›ŽšžŽœȱ ›˜–ȱ›ȱŠž•ȱŽ—‘Š–ǰȱŠȱ˜›–Ž›ȱŽ–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǰȱ ‘˜ȱꛜȱ–Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ ‹›’ŽĚ¢ȱ’—ȱŘŖŖşȱ˜›ȱŘŖŗŖǯȱ›ȱŽ—‘Š–ȱ’œȱŠȱŽ—’˜›ȱŸ’œŽ›ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱĴ˜›—Ž¢ȱ Ž—Ž›Š•ǯȱ Žȱ Šœ”Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜ȱŽ—šž’›Žȱ ‘Ž‘Ž›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ ’••’—ȱ˜ȱ–ŽŽȱ ’‘ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ —›Ž ȱŒ —˜œ‘ȱ˜ȱ’œŒžœœȱŠȱ™˜œœ’‹•Žȱ›˜•Žȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ™›˜™˜œŽȱ—Ž ȱŠ—’ȬŒ˜››ž™’˜—ȱ Œ˜––’œœ’˜—ǰȱŒž››Ž—•¢ȱ”—˜ —ȱŠœȱ‘Žȱȁ Ȃȱǻ’—Ž™Ž—Ž—ȱ‹›˜ŠȬ‹ŠœŽȱ Š—’Ȭ Œ˜››ž™’˜—ȱŒ˜––’œœ’˜—ǼDZ

I was asked to make some contact with him and see if he would – would be interested in coming over on a secondment basis to assist with the implementation, the structure or whatever ǽ˜ȱ‘Žȱ Ǿ.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ•˜œȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȂœȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—Žȱ—ž–‹Ž›ȱ‹žȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽœȱ‘Žȱ ŠœȱŠ‹•Žȱ˜ȱ ˜‹Š’—ȱ’ȱ›˜–ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœǯȱ Žȱ‘Ž—ȱ›Š—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ—ȱŠ››Š—Žȱ˜ȱ–ŽŽȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ‘Š–‹Ž›œȱ of a barrister (another former member of Victoria Police).

‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ˜ŒŒž››Žȱ˜—ȱŗŘȱ™›’•ȱŘŖŗŗǯȱŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ ‘Ž—ȱ‘ŽȱŽ¡™•Š’—Žȱ ‘Žȱ™ž›™˜œŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‘ŠȱŠ•›ŽŠ¢ȱŽŒ’Žȱ˜ȱŠ™™•¢ȱ˜›ȱŠȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ ’‘ȱ ǯȱ ‘Ž—ȱ ›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ Ž¡™›ŽœœŽȱ œž›™›’œŽǰȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ œŠ’ȱ ‘Žȱ ‘Šȱ ŠŒžŠ••¢ȱ ›Žœ’—Žȱ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘’œȱ Šœȱ‘Žȱꛜȱ”—˜ •ŽŽȱ ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜•ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ›Ž–Š’—ȱ ’‘ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ Police because of issues with integrityǯȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ œŠ’ȱ ‘Žȱ ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ ›ȱ ŸŽ›•Š—ȱ Šœȱ seeking to undermine his reputation and that Mr Overland and others were actively ›¢’—ȱ˜ȱꗍȱœ˜–Ž‘’—ȱ‘Ž¢ȱŒ˜ž•ȱžœŽȱ˜ȱ’œŒ›Ž’ȱ‘’–.

31 ŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŠ’:

…there were serious issues with the mismanagement in the police force… there were lots of cover-ups going on.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽDZ

ǽ’›ȱ Ž—Ǿȱ ŠœȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—ŽȱŠ‹˜žȱŒ˜ŸŽ›Ȭž™œȱ’—ȱ‹žŽȱœžě Ȭž™œdzȱ‘Žȱ ŠœȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—Žȱ about just general mismanagement in the force, wastage… millions of dollars missing in, you know, projects that were running over… he was concerned about ‘ŽȱŠ™™˜’—–Ž—œȱ˜ȱœŽ—’˜›ȱœŠěǰȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱŽ•ȱ‘Šȱ‘Ž›Žȱ Ž›Žȱ™Ž˜™•Žȱ‘Ž›Žȱ‘Šȱ Ž›Žȱ appointed through, you know, the Mates Act… the prevailing culture was if there’s a problem we’ll cover it up we won’t address it… he was concerned about the crime statistics… he said that it was in his view the greatest act of corruption ‘ŽȂȱ ŽŸŽ›ȱ Ž¡™Ž›’Ž—ŒŽdzȱ ‘Ž›Žȱ Ž›Žȱ ’œœžŽœȱ ’‘ȱ ‘Žȱ Ž¡ȱ 쎗Ž›œȱ Ž’œ›¢dzȱ ‘Žȱ‹›’ŽĚ¢ȱ›ŽŽ››Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’œœžŽœȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ™Š›˜•ŽŽȱ’œœžŽdzȱ‘’œȱ–Š’—ȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—œȱ Ž›Žȱ just the – the politicisation of the police force…

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ŠœȱŠ•œ˜ȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—ŽȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘Žȱ Š¢ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Š—•Žȱ Šȱ’œ–’œœŠ•ȱ™›˜ŒŽœœȱ’—Ÿ˜•Ÿ’—ȱŠȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ ‘˜ȱŒ˜––’ĴŽȱœž’Œ’ŽȱŠŽ›ȱ›ŽŒŽ’Ÿ’—ȱ Šȱȁœ‘˜ ȱŒŠžœŽȂȱ—˜’ŒŽǯȱ‘Žȱ—˜’ŒŽȱ ŠœȱœŽ›ŸŽȱ™ž›œžŠ—ȱ˜ȱœŽŒ’˜—ȱ ŜŞȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ Police Regulation Act 1958ǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘˜ž‘ȱ‘ŽȱžœŽȱ˜ȱœŽŒ’˜—ȱŜŞȱ Šœȱ’—Š™™›˜™›’ŠŽǯȱ

’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜•ȱ ›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ ‘Žȱ ‘Šȱ ›’Žȱ ˜ȱ Š›Žœœȱ ‘’œȱ ŸŠ›’˜žœȱ Œ˜—ŒŽ›—œȱ‹žȱ‘Šȱ been ignored.

’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜•ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Šȱœȱ Ž•Ž—ȱ’•ŸŽ›ǰȱŽŒ›ŽŠ›¢ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽ™Š›–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ›Ž–’Ž›ȱ and Cabinet, had appointed a mediator to try to sort out the issues he had with Chief Commissioner Overland.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ–Š”ŽȱŠȱž••ȱ›˜—Š•ȱŠĴŠŒ”ȱ˜—ȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š— and at times defended Mr Overland.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘ŽȱŠœ”Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ’ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱŠ—¢ȱ˜‹“ŽŒ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ›Š’œ’—ȱ ‘’œȱ’œœžŽœȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ǯȱŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ—˜ȱ˜‹“ŽŒ’˜—ȱ Š—ȱ’—ȱŠŒȱ‘˜ž‘ȱ’ȱ Šœȱ’–™˜›Š—ȱ‘Šȱ‘’œȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ˜ŒŒž›ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ was willing to meet with Government in relation to his concerns, if they wanted to talk ˜ȱ‘’–ǯȱ ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ—˜Žȱ‘ŠȱŠȱ‘’œȱœŠŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘ŠȱŠ•›ŽŠ¢ȱ–Žȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ǰȱ‘Žȱ ›Ž–’Ž›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǰȱ˜—ȱŗŜȱŽ‹›žŠ›¢ȱǻœŽŽȱMeeting between Sir Ken Jones and Michael Kapel below).

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘ŽȱŽ—Œ˜ž›ŠŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—DZ

…if he had any concerns he should take them to the Ombudsman… he certainly ’—’ŒŠŽȱ˜ȱ–Žȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ—˜ȱŒ˜—ꍮ—ŒŽȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ dzȱ‘Žȱ’—’ŒŠŽȱ‘ŽȱŽ•ȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ was too close to the OPI…

32 ŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ ’••’—ȱ˜ȱŠ•”ȱ˜ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ȱ Š‹˜žȱŠȱ™˜œœ’‹•Žȱ›˜•Žȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ ǯȱ

›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ ŠŸŽȱ ŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ ‘Šȱ ‘Žȱ –ŠŽȱ œ˜–Žȱ —˜Žœȱ ˜ȱ ‘Šȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘ŠȱœŠ’ȱŠ—ȱ ™›Ž™Š›ŽȱŠȱ‹›’Žȱ˜›ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱŽŠ•’—ȱ ’‘ȱœ˜–Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’œœžŽœȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘Šȱ›Š’œŽǯȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ‹›˜ž‘ȱ‘Žȱ‹›’Žȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠĴŽ—’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ‘’–œŽ•ȱ–Ž—’˜—ȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ˜ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ǯȱ

›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Žȱ‘Šœȱ—˜ȱ›ŽŒ˜••ŽŒ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‹Ž’—ȱ˜•ȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ Šœȱ˜ȱ˜ŒŒž›ǰȱ˜›ȱ‘Šȱ˜ŒŒž››ŽǰȱŠ•‘˜ž‘ȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ –ŠŽȱŠ Š›Žȱ˜ȱŠȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ǯȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ œŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ˜•ȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱwanted to have a chat with him [Mr Weston] about the PSO ǽ›˜ŽŒ’ŸŽȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱĜŒŽ›Ǿ on train station policy.

ž‹œŽšžŽ—•¢ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜•ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘Šȱ›Š’œŽȱa range of other –ŠĴŽ›œȱ‹žȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘Ȃœȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ Šœȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱŠ›Žœœȱ‘˜œŽȱ–ŠĴŽ›œȱ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ‘’ŒŠ•ȱŠ—Š›œȱŽ™Š›–Ž—ȱ˜›ȱ ǯȱ ȱ’œ—ȂȱŒ•ŽŠ›ȱ ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ˜‘Ž›ȱ–ŠĴŽ›œȱwere, but ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱœŠ’ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›Žȱ’ȱ’—Š™™›˜™›’ŠŽȱ˜›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜ȱ›Š’œŽȱ‘Ž–ȱ‘›˜ž‘ȱ Mr Weston.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ŠŒŽȱ›ȱŽ—‘Š–ȱŠ—ȱœŠ’ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ ’••’—ȱ˜ȱ–ŽŽȱ ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ǯȱ

‘Žȱ—Ž¡ȱ–˜›—’—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ–Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‹›’ŽĚ¢ȱ’—ȱŠȱŒ˜ěŽŽȱœ‘˜™ȱ‹Ž•˜ ȱ‘Žȱ‹Š››’œŽ›Ȃœȱ Œ‘Š–‹Ž›œȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘˜ž‘ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ•Žȱ‘’œȱ™‘˜—Žȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ‹Š››’œŽ›Ȃœȱ›˜˜–ȱ‘Žȱ previous evening.

››Š—Ž–Ž—œȱ Ž›Žȱ–ŠŽȱ˜›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜ȱ–ŽŽȱ ’‘ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ȱ˜—ȱŗśȱ™›’•ǯȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ–Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠȱŠ›•’Š–Ž—ȱ ˜žœŽǰȱœ‘˜ Žȱ‘’–ȱ‘›˜ž‘ȱœŽŒž›’¢ȱ Š—ȱ•Žȱ‘’–ȱ ’‘ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ǯȱ

Sir Ken Jones’ comments on his meeting with Mr Weston on 12 April 2011 ‘Žȱ ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ ˜—ȱ ‹Ž‘Š•ȱ ˜ȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ ˜Žœȱ —˜ǰȱ Šœȱ œžŒ‘ǰȱŒ‘Š••Ž—Žȱ›ȱ Žœ˜—ȂœȱŽŠ’•ŽȱŠŒŒ˜ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŗŘȱ™›’•ȱ–ŽŽ’—ǯȱ ȱ˜Žœȱ—˜ȱ’œ™žŽȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱœŠŽȱ ™ž›™˜œŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ Šœȱ˜ȱŠœŒŽ›Š’—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ ’••’——Žœœȱ˜ȱ–ŽŽȱ ’‘ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ Œ —˜œ‘ȱ˜ȱ’œŒžœœȱŠ—ȱ ȱ›˜•Žǯȱ

‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱœžŽœœȱ‘Šǰȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ‹›˜ŠŽ›ȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—ȱ‘Šȱ˜••˜ Žǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ he was Œ˜—ꍮ—’Š••¢ȱ‹Ž’—ȱœ˜ž—Žȱ˜žȱ‹¢ȱŠȱ—Ž ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ˜—ȱ‘Žȱ“žœ’ŒŽȱ’œœžŽœȱ‘Šȱ‘Šȱ concerned them in opposition.ȱŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜ȱ be a ‹˜—Šȱꍎ representative of the Deputy Premier, and was so assured by Mr Weston. ŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘Šȱ™›’˜›ȱŽ¡™Ž›’Ž—ŒŽȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ™˜•’Œ’—ȱŒŠ›ŽŽ›ȱ˜ȱ—Ž ȱ ’—’œŽ›œȱŠ”’—ȱŒ˜—ꍮ—’Š•ȱȁœ˜ž—’—Ȃȱ›˜–ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ™›˜Žœœ’˜—Š•œǯ

There is nothing irregular about a senior public sector employee being invited to Ž¡™›ŽœœȱŠ—ȱ’—Ž›Žœȱ’—ȱŠȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱŽ•œŽ ‘Ž›Žȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ™ž‹•’ŒȱœŽŒ˜›ǰȱ‘˜ž‘ȱ‘Ž›ŽȱŠ›Žȱ—˜ȱ

33 ˜ž‹ȱŒŽ›Š’—ȱ™›˜˜Œ˜•œȱŠœȱ˜ȱ‘˜ ȱ‘’œȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ˜—Žǯȱ˜›ȱŽ¡Š–™•Žǰȱ’ȱœŽŽ–œȱ˜ȱ‘Šȱ —Ž’‘Ž›ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ—˜›ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ Ž›ŽȱŠ Š›Žȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŠ™™›˜ŠŒ‘ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœǯȱŽȱ‘ŠȱŠœȱ’ȱ–Š¢ǰȱ’ȱ’œȱ‘Žȱ‹›˜ŠŽ›ȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—ȱ‘Šȱ˜••˜ Žȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ’ŸŽœȱ›’œŽȱ ˜ȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—ǯȱ ȱ Šœȱ•Žœœȱ‘Š—ȱ˜ž›ȱ ŽŽ”œȱœ’—ŒŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱž—œŠ’œŠŒ˜›¢ȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱǻ’œŒžœœŽȱ•ŠŽ›ȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›Ǽǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ Šœȱ‹¢ȱ‘Ž—ȱŠ Š›Žȱ‘Šȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ had not been informed in advance of the meeting and was annoyed. According to ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ‘ŽȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘Šȱ—ŽŸŽ›ȱ™›ŽŸ’˜žœ•¢ȱ–Žǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Šȱ‹Žž—ȱ ˜›”ȱ ŠœȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ȱ•Žœœȱ‘Š—ȱ꟎ȱ ŽŽ”œȱ™›ŽŸ’˜žœ•¢ǯȱ’ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ ‹Ž’—ȱ˜ĜŒ’Š••¢ȱŠœ”Žȱ˜ȱȁ‹ŠŒ”›˜ž—Ȃȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ‘›˜ž‘ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ˜›ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ simply found someone close to the Minister who shared his pessimistic view of what Šœȱ ˜ŒŒž››’—ȱ ’—ȱ ’Œ˜›’Šȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱ Š—ȱ ˜ȱ ‘˜–ȱ ‘Žȱ Œ˜ž•ȱ ȁž—•˜ŠȂǵȱ‘ŽȱŽ—˜›ȱ˜ȱ›ȱ Žœ˜—ȂœȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱŠ—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž•Š’˜—œ‘’™ȱ‘ŠȱŽŸŽ•˜™Žȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ȱ –Ž—ȱ‘Ž›ŽŠŽ›ȱŸŽ›¢ȱ–žŒ‘ȱœžŽœœȱ‘Žȱ•ŠĴŽ›ǯ

Minister McIntosh’s account of meeting with Sir Ken Jones ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘ŠȱŠȱœžŽœ’˜—ȱ Šœȱ–ŠŽȱ ˜ȱ ‘’–ȱ ‹¢ȱ ›ȱŽ—‘Š–ȱ‘Šȱ‘Ž›Žȱ–’‘ȱ‹ŽȱŠȱ›˜•Žȱ˜›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ˜›–Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ ǯȱ ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ȱŠ›ŽŽȱ˜ȱ–ŽŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜ȱ’œŒžœœȱ‘’œȱ™˜œœ’‹’•’¢ǯȱȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ was arranged in the circumstances described by Mr Weston. The role discussed Šœȱ ‘Šȱ ˜ȱ ’›ŽŒ˜›ȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ’–™•Ž–Ž—Š’˜—ȱ ™‘ŠœŽȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ŽœŠ‹•’œ‘–Ž—ȱ ˜ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ŠœȱŠȱ›Š—œ’’˜—Š•ȱ›˜•Žȱ˜—•¢ǯȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ‘›˜ž‘˜žȱ‘Šœȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ‘ŠȱŠ••ȱ appointments to the Commission itself will be made by the new Commissioner. ŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ŠœȱœŽŽ”’—ȱŠȱ–˜›ŽȱœŽ—’˜›ȱŠ—ȱ™Ž›–Š—Ž—ȱ role, so the discussions went no further.

Subsequent meetings between Mr Weston and Sir Ken Jones ȱœ˜–ŽȱœŠŽȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‹ŽŠ—ȱ˜ȱœ™ŽŠ”ȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜—ȱ‘ŽȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—Žǯȱ‘Ž’›ȱ—Ž¡ȱ ŠŒŽȬ˜ȬŠŒŽȱ Šœȱ’—’’ŠŽȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠœȱŠȱȁŒŠŒ‘Ȭž™Ȃǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘’—”œȱ’ȱ ˜ž•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ ‹ŽŽ—ȱ ’‘’—ȱŠȱ ŽŽ”ȱ˜ȱŗśȱ™›’•ǯȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ˜ŒŒž››ŽȱŠȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ‘˜–Žǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽœȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ ’ŽǰȱŠ¢ȱ Š¢Žȱ ˜—Žœǰȱ Šœȱ˜ŸŽ›œŽŠœȱŠȱ‘Žȱ ’–Žǯȱ ȱ Šœȱ Š—ȱ ’—˜›–Š•ȱ –ŽŽ’—ǯȱ ‘Ž¢ȱ œ™˜”Žȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ȱ ›˜•Žȱ ’œŒžœœŽȱ ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ Š—ȱ ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ǯȱ‘Ž¢ȱ’œŒžœœŽȱ‘Ž’›ȱ–žžŠ•ȱ’—Ž›Žœȱ’—ȱŠŸ’Š’˜—ȱŠ—ȱ˜‘Ž›ȱ’œœžŽœȱ —˜ȱ —ŽŒŽœœŠ›’•¢ȱ ™˜•’ŒŽȬ›Ž•ŠŽǯȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ œ™˜”Žȱ ŠŠ’—ȱ Š‹˜žȱ ‘’œȱ ™›˜™˜œŽȱ ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǯȱ Mr Weston said that would be a shame.ȱŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŠ’DZȱ

…he believed that Mr Overland was targeting him, so he didn’t like to talk on the phone too much.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘ŽȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ’œŒžœœŽȱŠȱ™›˜™˜œŠ•ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Šȱ™žȱ to the Minister that the Government would recruit UK police but we would actually train them in the UK. He had discussed the proposal with Mr Davies who did not have an issue with it, so long as the recruits joined the Police Association.

34 ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘’—”œȱ‘Žȱ–Š¢ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱŸ’œ’Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ‘˜–Žȱ‘›ŽŽȱ˜›ȱ˜ž›ȱ’–Žœǯȱ

ȱœž‹œŽšžŽ—ȱŸ’œ’ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ‘˜–Žȱ’—Ÿ˜•ŸŽȱ›ȱ’••ȱ’••Ž¢ȱǯȱ‘’œȱ ’••ȱ‹Žȱ’œŒžœœŽȱ later in this report.

Chief Commissioner not informed of Jones – Weston meetings ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱž—Š Š›Žȱ˜ȱŠ—¢ȱ–ŽŽ’—œȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱž—’•ȱ’—˜›–Žȱ˜ȱ‘Ž–ȱ‹¢ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ ‘’œȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ǯȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱŒ˜—žŒǰȱ’ȱŠŒŒž›ŠŽ•¢ȱ›Ž•ŠŽȱ by Mr Weston, was highly inappropriate. Mr Overland said the relationship between Victoria Police and Government ’œȱ‘›˜ž‘ȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž› and that police members should not, in a clandestine fashion, articulate criticisms and concerns to representatives of Government.

›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ ’‘ȱŠȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ›’’Œ’œ–œȱŠ—ȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—œȱ Š••ŽŽ•¢ȱŠ›’Œž•ŠŽȱ‹¢ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǯȱ‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ’œȱ—˜ȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—ȱ˜ȱ the issues considered in this report and will therefore not be included.

Minister Ryan not informed of meetings ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ™Š›’Œ’™ŠŽȱ’—ȱŠȱŸ˜•ž—Š›¢ȱ’—Ž›Ÿ’Ž ȱ ’‘ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œǯȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ ¢Š—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱž—Š Š›Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—œȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǯȱ Žȱ œŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ‘’–œŽ•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‘ŠȱœžŒ‘ȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—œȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ it would tend to undermine the duly appointed Chief Commissioner and was inconsistent with the Ministerial role.

’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Žȱ ŠœȱŠ•œ˜ȱž—Š Š›Žȱ‘Šȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ Œ —˜œ‘ȱ ‘Šȱ–Žȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœǰȱ‘˜ž‘ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ —˜œ‘ȱŠœ”Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ ‘Ž‘Ž›ȱ ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ‘˜ž‘ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ–’‘ȱ‹ŽȱŠȱ›˜•Žȱ˜›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ ǯ

The relationship between Mr Weston and the Police Association Mr Weston deferred his membership of the Police Association when he began in the ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǯȱ

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱž›’—ȱ‘’œȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱvery keen to develop a good relationship with the [Police] Association because of the political power they wielded. He said they held Ž—˜›–˜žœȱœ Š¢ȱ’—ȱ’Œ˜›’Š—ȱ™˜•’’Œœȱand were responsible for the ˜ —Š••ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ Ž——ŽĴȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ‘ŽȱŽ•ŽŒ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›ŠŒ”œȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—.

Mr Weston said he would deal mostly with the Secretary, Mr Davies and where Š™™›˜™›’ŠŽȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•DZ

…seek Mr Davies’ view on hypotheticals to make sure… what [the Police œœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȂœǾ view would be.

35 Mr Weston said in evidence that Mr Davies was very critical of the way Mr Overland was leading the police force into the ground.

›ȱ ŠŸ’Žœȱ Šœȱ Ž¡Š–’—Žȱ ž—Ž›ȱ œž––˜—œǯȱ Žȱ œŠ’ȱ ›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ ˜ž•ȱ ›’—ȱ ‘’–ȱ ˜Ž—ǰȱœ˜–Ž’–Žœȱ꟎ȱ’–ŽœȱŠȱŠ¢ǰȱto the point of annoyance on some occasions. He had ‘Š•ȱŠȱ˜£Ž—ȱ–ŽŽ’—œȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǯȱ Žȱ—ŽŸŽ›ȱ–Žȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ—ȱŽ™ž¢ȱ ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ˜Ž‘Ž›ǯ

—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ’Ÿ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱœ™˜”Žȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱ˜—ȱŠȱ—ž–‹Ž›ȱ of occasions about enterprise bargaining issues. Mr Davies was frustrated by a lack of ™›˜›ŽœœȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ Šœȱœ¢–™Š‘Ž’Œǯȱȱ‘ŠȱœŠŽȱ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ Šœ—ȂȱŠȱ‘Žȱ —Ž˜’Š’—ȱŠ‹•ŽDZȱ—Ž˜’Š’˜—œȱ Ž›Žȱ™›˜ŒŽŽ’—ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱŠ—ȱ Victoria Police.

The relationship between the Police Association and ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœ —ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ ǰȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœǰȱŽŒ›ŽŠ›¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ǰȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱꛜȱ–Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ˜—ȱ‘ŽȱŠ¢ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ŠœȱŠ™™˜’—ŽȱŽ™ž¢ȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǯȱ ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ ŠœȱŠ››Š—Žȱ‹¢ȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ǯȱ˜–Ž’–Žȱ•ŠŽ›ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ Ÿ’œ’Žȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱŠȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ǯȱ‘Ž¢ȱ’œŒžœœŽȱ™˜•’Œ’—ȱ–ŠĴŽ›œȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ’—’ŒŠŽȱŠȱ ’œ‘ȱ˜ȱ“˜’—ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ǯȱ

—ȱ Š™™›˜¡’–ŠŽ•¢ȱ Š¢ȱ ŘŖŗŖȱ ‘’œȱ Š™™•’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ Šœȱ ŠŒŒŽ™Žǰȱ ‘˜ž‘ȱ ‘Žȱ™Š’ȱ—˜ȱŽŽœȱ ž—’•ȱŠŽ›ȱŜȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗǯȱŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘˜ž‘ȱ‘ŽȱŽŽœȱ Ž›Žȱ‹Ž’—ȱ automatically deducted from his salary.

ŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠœ”Žȱ‘Šȱ‘’œȱ–Ž–‹Ž›œ‘’™ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱ not be made public because he thought the Chief Commissioner would take a dim view of it.

›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ•ŠŽ›ȱ’—ȱŘŖŗŖǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ—ȱŠ¢ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŸ’œ’Žȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȁȱ ‘˜–Žȱ˜›ȱ’——Ž›ǰȱ‘Ž—ȱ›Žž›—Žȱ‘Žȱ’—Ÿ’Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠ—ȱ›œȱŠŸ’ŽœȱŠȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ‘˜–Žǯȱ —ȱŠ—˜‘Ž›ȱ˜ŒŒŠœ’˜—ǰȱ ‘Ž—ȱ‹˜‘ȱ‘Ž’›ȱ ’ŸŽœȱ Ž›ŽȱŠ Š¢ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱ‘ŠȱŠȱ Vietnamese meal in Richmond.

’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ–Žȱ˜—ȱŠȱ—ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ˜ŒŒŠœ’˜—œǯȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱŽœŒ›’‹Žœ a friendly relationship, we weren’t best mates.

ŒŒ˜›’—ȱ ˜ȱ ›ȱ ŠŸ’Žœǰȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜•ȱ ‘’–ȱ ‘Ž›Žȱ ‘Šȱ ‹ŽŽ—ȱ Š—ȱ Ž—˜›–˜žœȱ ŠœŽȱ ˜ȱ –˜—Ž¢ȱ’—ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǰȱ™›˜‹•Ž–œȱ ’‘ȱ‘ŽȱŽ¡ȱ쎗Ž›œȱŽ’œŽ›ǰȱ™›˜‹•Ž–œȱ ’‘ȱ ™Š›˜•ŽŽœȱŠ—ȱ™›˜‹•Ž–œȱ ’‘ȱ‘ŽȱŒ‘Š—Žȱ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȂœȱŠŠ‹ŠœŽȱ‘ŽȱŠ ȱ —˜›ŒŽ–Ž—ȱœœ’œŠ—ŒŽȱ›˜›Š–ȱǻǼȱ˜ȱŠȱ›Ž™•ŠŒŽ–Ž—ȱœ¢œŽ–ǰȱ  ǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŠ’ȱ ‘ŽȱŽ¡ȱ쎗Ž›œȱŽ’œŽ›ȱŒ˜ž•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱę¡Žȱ˜›ȱ꟎ȱ–’••’˜—ȱ˜••Š›œȱǻǞśǰŖŖŖǰŖŖŖǼǰȱ ‹žȱ Šœ—Ȃǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŽ¡™›ŽœœŽȱ˜ž‹œȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱŠ‹˜žȱ ‘Ž‘Ž›ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž•ȱ›Ž–Š’—ȱ’—ȱ the organisation because of advice being rejected all the time. According to Mr Davies,

36 ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ŠœȱŠȱŸŽ›¢ȱ™˜˜›ȱŠ–˜œ™‘Ž›ŽȱŠ–˜—ȱ‘ŽȱœŽ—’˜›ȱ˜ĜŒŽ›œȱ ˜›”’—ȱŒ•˜œŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ Chief Commissioner and that there was a fairly toxic atmosphere up there.

ȱ’œȱ•’”Ž•¢ȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽœŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—œȱ˜ŒŒž››Žǰȱ™›Ž˜–’—Š—•¢ǰȱ™›’˜›ȱ˜ȱŜȱŠ¢ǯȱ‘ŽȱŠŒȱ ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŽ•ȱŒ˜–˜›Š‹•ŽȱŸŽ—’•Š’—ȱœžŒ‘ȱ’œœžŽœȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœžŽœœȱ that an alliance had been formed between the two men. Among the views they shared was antipathy to Mr Overland.

Meeting between Sir Ken Jones and Mr Michael Kapel —ȱŗŜȱŽ‹›žŠ›¢ȱŘŖŗŗȱ›ȱ’Œ‘ŠŽ•ȱ Š™Ž•ǰȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž–’Ž›ǰȱ›ȱŠ’••’Žžǰȱ–Žȱ ’‘ȱŽ™ž¢ȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ‘˜–Žǯȱ‘ŽȱŠŒȱ˜ǰȱŠ—ȱŒ’›Œž–œŠ—ŒŽœȱ of, this meeting have been the subject of a much media coverage and agitation in the Parliament. They are of peripheral relevance to this investigation. They are relevant ˜—•¢ȱ˜ȱŠȱ—Š››Š’ŸŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŠ—œȱ‹¢ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŸŽ—’•ŠŽȱ‘’œȱŒ›’’Œ’œ–œȱ˜ȱ the management of Victoria Police. Were it not for the intense interest this topic has Ž—Ž›ŠŽǰȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŒ˜ž•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŽŠ•ȱ ’‘ȱ’—ȱŠȱ™Š›Š›Š™‘ǯȱ —ȱ‘ŽȱŒ’›Œž–œŠ—ŒŽœǰȱ‘˜ ŽŸŽ›ǰȱ ȱ ’••ȱ–˜›Žȱž••¢ȱ›ŽŒ’Žȱ ‘Šȱ’œȱ known of the meeting.

—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ ǰȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ˜•ȱ‘’–ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŠ™™›˜ŠŒ‘Žȱ‹¢ȱ people within Government and asked to ring one of three telephone numbers. One Šœȱ‘Žȱ›Ž–’Ž›Ȃœȱ—ž–‹Ž›ǰȱŠ—˜‘Ž›ȱ Šœȱ˜›ȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ǯȱ ȱ’œȱ—˜ȱ”—˜ —ȱ ‘˜ȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ ‘Žȱ—ž–‹Ž›œȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǯȱ

ŒŒ˜›’—ȱ ˜ȱ ›ȱ ŠŸ’Žœǰȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ›Š—ȱ ›ȱ Š™Ž•Ȃœȱ—ž–‹Ž›ǯȱ ‘Ž¢ȱ Š››Š—Žȱ ˜ȱ –ŽŽȱ Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ‘˜–Žǯȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ’œȱž—Š Š›Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱœž‹“ŽŒȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ ˜ȱ ‘Ž’›ȱ Œ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ǯȱŠŽ›ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ Šœȱž—ŽŠœ¢ȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘˜ ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ȱ ‘Šȱ ˜—Žǯȱ ŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœǰȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱ˜•ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱif this turns out bad we’ll simply say it was you who contacted us.

ŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ›Š—ȱ‘’–ȱǻ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœǼȱŠ—ȱŠœ”Žȱwhat am I going to do about that? Davies said if you like I will ring the Police Minister and see if I can try and make sure that doesn’t happen.ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ›ŽŽǯ Mr Davies then rang Minister Ryan and told ‘’–ȱ ‘Šȱ‘Šȱ‘Š™™Ž—Žǯȱ ȱ ŠœȱŒ•ŽŠ›ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ”—Ž ȱ—˜‘’—ȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ Š—ȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱ™•ŽŠœŽǯȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ•˜˜”ȱ’—˜ȱ’ǯȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱ›Š—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ and reported what Minister Ryan had said.

›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱ‘Šœȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ ȱ ’‘ȱŠȱ ›’ĴŽ—ȱŠŒŒ˜ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ’›Œž–œŠ—ŒŽœȱŠ—ȱŒ˜—Ž—ȱ ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ǯȱ —ȱœž––Š›¢ǰȱŠŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•DZ

Ȋȱ Žȱ‘Šȱ—˜ȱŒ˜—ŠŒȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ™›’˜›ȱ˜ȱŗřȱŽ‹›žŠ›¢ȱŘŖŗŗǯ

Ȋȱ ž›’—ȱ‘Žȱ ŽŽ”Ž—ȱ˜ȱŗŘȮŗřȱŽ‹›žŠ›¢ȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱŠ—ȱž—œ˜•’Œ’ŽȱŽ¡ȱ–ŽœœŠŽȱ ›˜–ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǰȱ›ŽšžŽœ’—ȱ˜ȱȁŒŠŒ‘Ȭž™Ȃǯ

37 Ȋȱ —ȱ ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ Ž¡ǰȱ ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱ Š›ŽŽȱ ˜ȱ –ŽŽȱ ’‘ȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜—ȱŗŜȱŽ‹›žŠ›¢ǯȱ ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȂœȱœžŽœ’˜—ǰȱ’ȱ ŠœȱŠ›ŽŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Ž¢ȱ ˜ž•ȱ–ŽŽȱŠȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȂœȱŠ™Š›–Ž—ȱ ŠŽ›ȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱ‘Šȱꗒœ‘Žȱ ˜›”ȱŠȱŠ‹˜žȱŞ™–ǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȂœȱŠ™Š›–Ž—ȱ ŠœȱŒ•˜œŽȱ˜ȱ ›ȱ Š™Ž•Ȃœȱ›Žœ’Ž—ŒŽȱŠ—ȱ‘Žȱǻ›ȱ Š™Ž•Ǽȱœ˜™™Žȱ‘Ž›Žȱ˜—ȱ‘’œȱ Š¢ȱ‘˜–Žǯȱ

Ȋȱ ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱœŠ’DZȱ ȱ Šœȱ˜ȱ–¢ȱ–’—ȱŠ—ȱž—›Ž–Š›”Š‹•ŽȱŒ˜—œž•Š’˜—ȱ ’‘ȱŠȱœŽ—’˜›ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•ȱ who conveniently lived quite close to my house and was conducted consistent with my role and responsibilities.

Ȋȱ ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ•ŠœŽȱŠ™™›˜¡’–ŠŽ•¢ȱ˜—ŽȱŠ—ȱŠȱ‘Š•ȱ‘˜ž›œȱŠ—ȱ˜—•¢ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱ Ž›Žȱ™›ŽœŽ—ǯ

Ȋȱ ˜ȱ‘Žȱ‹Žœȱ˜ȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•Ȃœȱ›ŽŒ˜••ŽŒ’˜—ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ›Š’œŽȱ–Š—ŠŽ–Ž—ȱŠ —ȱŠ–’ — ’œ›Š ’ŸŽȱ Œ˜—ŒŽ›—œȱŠ—ȱ–ŠĴŽ›œȱ˜ȱ‹›˜ŠŽ›ȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ™˜•’Œ¢ȱ›ŽŠ›’—ȱ™˜•’Œ’—ǯȱ ŽȱŠ•œ˜ȱ›ŽŽ››Žȱ to ’ĜŒž•ȱ ’—Ž›™Ž›œ˜—Š•ȱ ›Ž•Š’˜—œȱ ’‘ȱ ›ȱ ŸŽ›•Š—ǰȱ Š—ȱ ‘Šȱ ‘Žȱ ‘Šȱ ‹ŽŽ—ȱ Œ˜—œ’Ž›’—ȱ his employment position at Victoria Police. Pre-election crime statistics and alleged –ž›Ž›œȱ‹¢ȱ™Š›˜•ŽŽœȱ Ž›Žȱ—˜ȱ’œŒžœœŽǯȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱœŠŽœȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—ȱ Šœȱ unremarkable and not particularly illuminating.

Ȋȱȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ›ŽšžŽœǰȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱž—Ž›˜˜”ȱ˜ȱ”ŽŽ™ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—Ž—œȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ conversation private.

Ȋȱ —ȱ˜›ȱŠ‹˜žȱŗŝȱŽ‹›žŠ›¢ǰȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱŠȱ™‘˜—ŽȱŒŠ••ȱ›˜–ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱŠœ”’—ȱ ’ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ–Žȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǯȱŽ›ȱŒ˜—ę›–’—ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ‘Šȱ Š”Ž—ȱ ™•ŠŒŽǰȱ ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱŽ›–’—ŠŽȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ǯȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Šȱ’—ȱ Šȱ œž‹œŽšžŽ—ȱ Ž•Ž™‘˜—ŽȱŒŠ••ȱ›˜–ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘ŽȱœŠ–ŽȱŠ¢ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŽ¡™›ŽœœŽȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—ȱ‘Šȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ ¢Š—ȱ ŠœȱŠ——˜¢ŽȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ǯȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱœŠ¢œȱ‘Žȱ˜•ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ‘Žȱ ‘Šȱ ›Žœ™ŽŒŽȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—ꍮ—ŒŽȱŠ—ȱ‘Šȱ—˜ȱ˜•ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ‹žȱ that Minister Ryan had already been told by someone else.

Ȋȱ ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱœŠŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ’œŒ•˜œŽȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž–’Ž›ǰȱ ‘ŽȱŽ™ž¢ȱ›Ž–’Ž›ȱ˜›ȱ˜ȱŠ—¢˜—ŽȱŽ•œŽǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’DZ ȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱŠȱ‘Žȱ’–Žȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›œȱ›Š’œŽȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠȱ‘ŽȱŗŜȱŽ‹›žŠ›¢ȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ did not warrant further action because the Government was already apprised of ‘˜œŽȱ–ŠĴŽ›œǯ

On 18 September 2011 the Herald Sun published what is said to be an email from ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ ’ŽǰȱŠ¢ȱ ˜—Žœǰȱ’—ȱŽ‹›žŠ›¢ȱŘŖŗŗȱŒ˜—Š’—’—ȱŠ—ȱŠŒŒ˜ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ –ŽŽ’—ȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱŠ—ȱŠ—ȱŽ¡ŒŽ›™ȱ›˜–ȱ ‘Šȱ’œȱœŠ’ȱ˜ȱ‹ŽȱŠ—ȱŽ–Š’•ȱ›˜–ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜ȱŠȱœž™™˜›Ž›ȱ’—ȱ ž—ŽȱŒ˜—Š’—’—ȱŠȱž›‘Ž›ȱ›ŽŽ›Ž—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ǯȱ‘ŽœŽȱ˜Œž–Ž—œȱ Š›Žȱ’—Œ•žŽȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ǰȱ˜›ȱŒ˜–™•ŽŽ—ŽœœǰȱŠȱ™™Ž—’¡ȱ‘›ŽŽǯȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ’œȱ—˜ȱ –Ž—’˜—ŽȱŠȱŠ••ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ›˜–ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ•ŽŠ•ȱŠŸ’œŽ›œǯȱ˜ȱ‘ŠȱŽ¡Ž—ǰȱ‘Žȱ ŠŒŒ˜ž—ȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ˜ȱ ȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱ’œȱž—Œ‘Š••Ž—Žǯ

38 ‘›˜ž‘ȱ‘’œȱ•ŽŠ•ȱŠŸ’œŽ›œǰȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱ’—˜›–Žȱ ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ’œ™žŽœȱœŠ¢’—ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱif this turns out bad we’ll say it was you who contacted us.

›ȱ’••ȱ’••Ž¢ȱȱŠ•œ˜ȱ‘ŠȱŠȱ›˜•Žȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱŽ™’œ˜Žǯȱ —ȱ‘’œȱ ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ›ȱ’••Ž¢ȱœŠ’ȱ ‘Žȱ ŠœȱŒ˜—ŠŒŽȱ‹¢ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǰȱ™Ž›‘Š™œȱ’—ȱ•ŠŽȱŠ¢ȱǻ‘Žȱ’œȱž—ŒŽ›Š’—ȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ŠŽǼǯȱ Žȱ ‘Šȱ™›ŽŸ’˜žœ•¢ȱ–Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ‘˜–Žȱ’—ȱŒ’›Œž–œŠ—ŒŽœȱ‘Šȱ ’••ȱ‹ŽȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ •ŠŽ›ȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ’œ‘Žȱ˜ȱ–ŽŽȱ ’‘ȱ‘’–ȱŠŠ’—ǯȱ‘Ž¢ȱ–ŽȱŠȱ‘Žȱ‘›’—Žȱ˜ȱ Ž–Ž–‹›Š—ŒŽȱȮȱŠȱ•˜ŒŠ’˜—ȱŒ˜—ŸŽ—’Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘Ž–ȱ‹˜‘ǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŽ¡™›ŽœœŽȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—ȱŠ‹˜žȱ ‘Žȱ Š¢ȱ’—ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ‘’œȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱ Š™Ž•ȱ‘Šȱž—˜•ŽȱŠ—ȱŽ–™‘Šœ’œŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ been approached by Government, not the other way around. According to Mr Tilley, it was agreed that Mr Tilley would seek some advice and inform the Premier. At some later ™˜’—ǰȱ‘˜ ŽŸŽ›ǰȱ›ȱ’••Ž¢ȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱŠ—ȱȱ›˜–ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŠ¢’—ȱdon’t worry about it.

›ȱ’••Ž¢ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ’—Ȃȱ’—˜›–ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǰȱ‹žȱ’ȱ inform Mr Weston.

Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ

Background ‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ‹¢ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ•ŽŠ•ȱŠŸ’œŽ›œȱœŠŽœȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘ŠȱŽŒ’Žȱ˜ȱ ›Žœ’—ȱ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠœȱŽŠ›•¢ȱŠœȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŖǰȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ̊Žȱ‘’œȱ’—Ž—’˜—ȱ˜ȱ˜ȱœ˜ȱ˜ȱ ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ’—ȱ ž•¢ȱŠ—ȱŒ˜—ę›–Žȱ‘’œȱŽŒ’œ’˜—ȱ’—ȱŒ˜‹Ž›ȱ˜••˜ ’—ȱŠ—ȱž—œžŒŒŽœœž•ȱ intervention by a consultant retained by Ms Helen Silver, Secretary to the Department of Premier and Cabinet. According to the response, following discussion with Mr ŸŽ›•Š—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ›ŽŽȱ˜ȱŽ•Š¢ȱ‘’œȱŽ™Š›ž›Žȱž—’•ȱŠŽ›ȱ‘ŽȱŘŖŗŖȱŠŽȱŽ•ŽŒ’˜—ǰȱŠ—ȱ subsequently until August 2011.

’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ ™ž‹•’Œ•¢ȱ Š——˜ž—ŒŽȱ ‘’œȱ ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ ˜—ȱ Řȱ Š¢ȱ ŘŖŗŗǰȱ ŽěŽŒ’ŸŽȱ ›˜–ȱ śȱ August 2011.

›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘ŠȱŠœȱ›ŽŒŽ—•¢ȱŠœȱŠ›Œ‘ȱŘŖŗŗǰȱ‘Žȱ ŠœȱŠĴŽ–™’—ȱ ˜ȱ™Ž›œžŠŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜ȱŒ‘Š—Žȱ‘’œȱ–’—ǯ

—ȱ›’Š¢ǰȱŜȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗǰȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ’›ŽŒŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜ȱŠ”Žȱ ‘Šȱ‘Šœȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ ŠœȱȁŠ›Ž—’—ȱ•ŽŠŸŽȂȱž—’•ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ˜˜”ȱŽěŽŒȱ’—ȱžžœǯȱ‘Žȱ circumstances in which Mr Overland issued this direction have been the subject of a ›ŽŠȱŽŠ•ȱ˜ȱ–Ž’Šȱœ™ŽŒž•Š’˜—ǯȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ‘Šœȱ’ŸŽ—ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱŠȱŽŠ’•Žȱ ŠŒŒ˜ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽŸŽ—œȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ•Žȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŽŒ’œ’˜—ǯȱ‘Žȱ–Ž›’œȱ˜ȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȂœȱŽŒ’œ’˜—ȱ are of limited relevance to my consideration of the events outlined in this report. They will be of greater relevance to my report to the Ombudsman.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ™‘˜—Žȱ‘’–ȱž›’—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ¢ȱ˜—ȱŜȱ May 2011, seeking an assurance that the Minister had no prior knowledge of what had ˜ŒŒž››Žǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜•ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘Žȱ’—Ȃȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ‘Šȱ™›’˜›ȱ”—˜ •ŽŽǯȱ

řş Although Minister Ryan said he had no direct prior knowledge that Mr Overland ’—Ž—Žȱ˜ȱ’›ŽŒȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ˜ȱŠ”Žȱ•ŽŠŸŽǰȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ ‘Šǰȱ˜—ȱ‘Žȱ–˜›—’—ȱ˜ȱŜȱŠ¢ǰȱŠȱŠ™™›˜¡’–ŠŽ•¢ȱŗŗŠ–ǰȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱŠȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—ŽȱŒŠ••ȱ ›˜–ȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ǯȱ —ȱ’Ÿ’—ȱ‘’œȱŠŒŒ˜ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ǰȱ‘ŽȱœŠ’DZ

…we had a conversation around the general principle of… a person staying on in a form of employment after the employer as it were had determined that um, he or she should leave. I then, by his invitation expressed an opinion about that Ž—Ž›Š•ȱ™›’—Œ’™•Žǯȱ ȱ˜•ȱ‘’–ȱ‘Šȱ’—ȱ–¢ȱ¢ŽŠ›œȱ’—ȱ™›’ŸŠŽȱŽ—Ž›™›’œŽȱ ȱ‘Šȱ’ĜŒž•¢ȱ in a person who had been given notice staying on beyond that date. I felt that it was in the best interest of both parties that there be a separation, with appropriate Ž—’•Ž–Ž—œȱ ŠŒŒ˜––˜ŠŽȱ ˜ȱ Œ˜ž›œŽǯȱ ‹˜ŸŽȱ ‘Šȱ ȱ Ž•ȱ ’ȱ Šœȱ ‹ŽĴŽ›ȱ ‘Šȱ ‘Žȱ separation occur at the time that the decision was taken and certainly at the time the decision was announced between the parties.

ȱ™ŽŒ’Š•ȱ —šž’›¢ȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱ ˜‘—ȱǻȁ ŠŒ”ȂǼȱžœ‘ȱȱ’—˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜––Š—ȱœ›žŒž›Žȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—ȱ›Ž•ŠŽȱ’œœžŽœȱ ŠœȱŠ——˜ž—ŒŽȱ˜—ȱ˜—Š¢ȱşȱŠ¢ǯȱ

Efforts to persuade Sir Ken Jones to withdraw his resignation ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠŸŽȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šǰȱ˜—ȱ˜›ȱ™›’˜›ȱ˜ȱşȱŠ¢ǰȱ‘ŽȱŠœ”Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ˜ȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›ȱ withdrawing his resignation. According to Mr Weston, there was discussion between ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœǰȱŠ—ȱœŽ™Š›ŠŽ•¢ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱŠœȱ˜ȱ ‘Ž‘Ž›ȱ ‘Žȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ‘Šȱ•ŽŠ•ȱŽěŽŒǯȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱ›ŽœŽŠ›Œ‘Žȱ‘Žȱ’œœžŽȱŠ—ȱ™›˜ěŽ›ŽȱŠŸ’ŒŽȱ ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ˜›’’—Š•ȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ‘Šȱ—˜ȱ•ŽŠ•ȱŽěŽŒȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ’ȱ ‘Šȱ—˜ȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŠŒŒŽ™Žȱ‹¢ȱ‘Žȱ¡ŽŒž’ŸŽȱ˜ž—Œ’•ǯȱ

—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ Šœȱ ’••’—ȱ˜ȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›ȱ withdrawing his resignation if requested by the Minister to do so. The view put ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ Šœȱ‘Šȱ‘’œȱ ˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ’ĜŒž•ȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ’ȱ ˜ž•ȱŠ™™ŽŠ›ȱ ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ ŠœȱŠ”’—ȱœ’Žœǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ™›˜žŒŽȱŠȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ—˜Žȱ˜›ȱ Mr Hindmarsh on the merits of the proposal and spoke to the Minister about the ’œœžŽǯȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ™˜œ’’˜—ǰȱŠŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ Šœȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ ŠœȱŠȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ Š—Žȱ˜ȱœŠ¢ȱ˜žȱ˜ȱthe warring camps.

—ȱ‘ŽȱŠŽ›—˜˜—ȱ˜ȱ˜—Š¢ȱşȱŠ¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ›Š—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǯȱ ȱ Šœȱ‘Žȱꛜȱ˜ȱ–Š—¢ȱ Œ˜––ž—’ŒŠ’˜—œȱ˜›ȱŠĴŽ–™œȱ˜ȱŒ˜––ž—’ŒŠŽȱ‘ŠȱŠ¢ǯȱ‘ŽȱŒŠ••ȱ Šœȱ’—Ž›ŒŽ™Žȱž—Ž›ȱ Šȱ Š››Š—ȱ˜‹Š’—Žȱ‹¢ȱ ǯȱ‘ŽȱŠ——˜ž—ŒŽ–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱžœ‘ȱ —šž’›¢ȱ˜—ȱŠȱŽ•ŽŸ’œ’˜—ȱ˜›ȱ ›Š’˜ȱŒŠ—ȱ‹Žȱ‘ŽŠ›ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ‹ŠŒ”›˜ž—ǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ›Ž–Š›”œȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱžœ‘ȱ —šž’›¢ȱŠ—ȱ‘Žȱ –‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ —šž’›¢ȱ ˜ž•ȱput a lot of things right… even if they’re gonna hang onto him ǽ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—Ǿȱ˜ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ›Ž™•’ŽDZ

I don’t think they’ll be hanging on to him… there is a line in the sand now… it’ll all hinge on which way that sycophantic toad falls… he’s been told that he needs to make a decision as to where’s he’s gonna sit, and there’ll only be one winner in this one, and if he’s on the wrong side of it…

40 ȱ ’—Œ•žŽȱ ‘’œȱ œ’—ž•Š›ȱ ’—œž•ȱ ˜ȱ Œ’—ȱ ‘’Žȱ ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ Š¢ȱǻ‘Ž—ȱŠȱŽ™ž¢ȱ ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›Ǽȱ ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ ’ȱ ™›˜Ÿ’Žœȱ ’–™˜›Š—ȱ Œ˜—Ž¡ȱ ˜ȱ Š—ȱ ’—Œ’Ž—ȱ ŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ ‹¢ȱ ›ȱŠ¢ȱ˜ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œǯȱ

Mr Lay said he had a conversation with Mr Weston following a meeting in the ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ›ȱŠ¢ȱŠĴŽ—Žǯȱ —ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ warned Mr Lay don’t get too close to Simon, he’s in trouble. Mr Lay said that, on another occasion, he received a warning in similar terms from Mr Davies.

›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŠ¢ȱ›Ž™˜›Žȱ˜ȱ‘’–ȱŠ•–˜œȱ’––Ž’ŠŽ•¢ȱ ‘Šȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘ŠȱœŠ’ǯȱ —ȱŠȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ˜ȱŠȱ›Šȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ’œ™žŽȱ ›ȱŠ¢ȂœȱŠŒŒ˜ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ǰȱ‹žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ™›˜Ÿ’ŽȱŠȱ’쎛Ž—ȱŠŒŒ˜ž—ǯ

‘ŽȱŒ˜—Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ˜—Žȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ˜—ȱ şȱŠ¢ȱœ‘˜ ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ Š›—’—ȱ’ŸŽ—ȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠ¢ȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱ’—Ž—Žȱ˜ȱ ‹Ž—Žęȱ›ȱŠ¢ǯȱ ȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱ Ž••Ȭ’—Ž—’˜—Žǯȱ ȱ’œȱ–˜›Žȱ™›˜‹Š‹•Žȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ Šœȱ ŠĴŽ–™’—ȱ ˜ȱ ’œ˜•ŠŽȱ ›ȱ ŸŽ›•Š—ȱ ’—ȱ ‘Žȱ ‘˜™Žȱ ˜ȱ ‘ŠœŽ—’—ȱ ‘’œȱ Ž™Š›ž›Žǯȱ ›ȱ Š¢ȱ ŠœȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›Žȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱȁœ¢Œ˜™‘Š—’ŒȂǰȱ™›Žœž–Š‹•¢ȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–Š——Ž›ȱ’—ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ‘Žȱ discharged his responsibilities to his Chief Commissioner.

The fact that Mr Weston felt comfortable describing Deputy Commissioner Lay to ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ ’—ȱ œžŒ‘ȱ Ž›–œȱ ’œȱ ŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ’—Š™™›˜™›’ŠŽȱ ›Ž•Š’˜—œ‘’™ȱ ‘Šȱ ‘Šȱ developed between them.

Žž›—’—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ǰȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ŠœȱŠȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—ȱŠ‹˜žȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ˜›’’—Š•ȱ ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ•ŽĴŽ›ǯȱ ȱ’œȱŽŸ’Ž—ȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘ŠȱŠ•›ŽŠ¢ȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱ•ŽŠ•ȱŠŸ’ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ Šœȱ’—ŽěŽŒ’ŸŽȱŠȱ•Š ȱž—•ŽœœȱŠŒŒŽ™Žȱ‹¢ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—˜›ȱ’—ȱ˜ž—Œ’•ǯ

ȱ ŠœȱŠȱ‘’œȱ™˜’—ȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ’—›˜žŒŽȱ‘Žȱ™˜œœ’‹’•’¢ȱ˜ȱ ‘Šȱ ’••ȱ‹ŽȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ȱŠœȱȁ‘ŽȱŽŠ•Ȃǯȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ȱ™›˜ŒŽŽŽȱŠœȱ˜••˜ œDZ

›ȱŽœ˜—DZȱ …let me discuss this with Greg [Mr Davies], because… ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœDZ Okay ›ȱŽœ˜—DZȱ They’re trying to get the Police Association to tone down their rhetoric… ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœDZ Right ›ȱŽœ˜—DZȱ Now, I think if Greg was to say to them ‘well how about if you don’t accept Sir Ken’s resignation we’ll tone down our rhetoric…’ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœDZ Yeah, that’s a deal I – I ›ȱŽœ˜—DZȱ I think – I think that is a sensible compromise ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœDZ And then I’d say I’d agree to hang round on paid leave… ›ȱŽœ˜—DZȱ Yep ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœDZ …er, until this is resolved ›ȱŽœ˜—DZȱ And then…

41 ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœDZ That’s fantastic. ›ȱŽœ˜—DZȱ Yeah, and you’d make no public comment ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœDZ Nope.

Ž›ȱœ˜–Žȱž›‘Ž›ȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘ŠȱŠ—˜‘Ž›ȱœžŽœ’˜—DZ

›ȱŽœ˜—DZȱ Well how about this, ‘cause the – ‘cause the other thing is they’re worried about adverse reaction to the PSO powers bill ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœDZ Right ›ȱŽœ˜—DZȱ How ‘bout we tie these together and say… ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœDZ Why not? That’s a great idea ›ȱŽœ˜—DZ …the Association won’t adversely comment on the police or – or ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœDZ Yep ›ȱŽœ˜—DZ …what’s occurring

ž‹œŽšžŽ—•¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’DZ

…well let me talk with Greg about that, I mean I might have to bend his arm on the PSO thing, but I’ll ask him, yeah.

The ‘PSO thing’ ’œȱŠȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ™›˜™˜œŠ•ȱ˜ȱŠœœ’—ȱŠ›–Žȱ›˜ŽŒ’ŸŽȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽœȱĜŒŽ›œȱ to railways stations at night.

The conversation concluded with an agreement to talk later.

Letter of withdrawal sent ‘Ž›Žȱ ŠœȱŠȱž›‘Ž›ȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ȱ˜—ȱ˜—Š¢ȱşȱŠ¢ǰȱŒ˜––Ž—Œ’—ȱŠȱŜǯŗŝȱ™–ǯȱ‘’œȱŒŠ••ȱ ŠœȱŠ•œ˜ȱ’—Ž›ŒŽ™Žǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜•ȱ’›ȱ Ž—DZ

ȱ—ŽŽȱ¢˜žȱ˜ȱ¢™Žȱž™ȱŠȱ•ŽĴŽ›ǰȱ¢˜žȱ”—˜ ǰȱ˜ȱŽŽ›ȱ¢Š—ǰȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ˜ȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ—˜’¢’—ȱ him of your intention – notifying that you are withdrawing your resignation from ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—ȱȮȱŠ—ȱŠ¡ȱ‘Šȱ‘›˜ž‘ȱ˜ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ’––Ž’ŠŽ•¢ǯ

Mr Weston then referred to the arrangement that I’m about to broker. He then asked ’›ȱȱ Ž—ȱ˜ȱŠ¡ȱ‘Žȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱȁcos then there’s a signature on itǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ’—Ȃȱ‘ŠŸŽȱŠȱŠ¡ȱ Šȱ‘˜–ŽȱŠ—ȱ‹žȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱœŒŠ—ȱ‘Žȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱŠ—ȱŽ–Š’•ȱ’ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠœ”Žȱ‘’–ȱ˜ȱ Ž–Š’•ȱ’ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱŠȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ǯȱ‘Ž—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱšžŽ›’Žȱ‘’œǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ said he’s central to this and that the Association will broker this arrangement. Mr Weston said ‘Ž›ŽȂ••ȱ˜—•¢ȱ‹Žȱ꟎ȱ™Ž˜™•Žȱ‘Šȱ ’••ȱ”—˜ .

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Ž—ȱŠŸŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘’œȱ™›’ŸŠŽȱŽ–Š’•ȱŠ›ŽœœȱȁŒ˜œȱ‘Ž—ȱ‘Ž¢ȱŒŠ—ȂȱꗍȱŠ—¢‘’—ȱ on my systemǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’DZ

42 dz’ȱ¢˜žȱŒŠ—ȱŽȱ‘Šȱ˜ěȱŠœȱšž’Œ”•¢ȱŠœȱ™˜œœ’‹•Žǰȱ ›Žȱ’œȱ˜——Šȱ›’—ȱ¢˜žȱ’—ȱŠ‹˜žȱ 15 minutes to thrash it out with ya.

—ȱ‘’œȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŽ•Š‹˜›ŠŽȱ˜—ȱ‘Žȱž—Ž›œŠ—’—ȱ‘ŽȱœŠ¢œȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŠŒ‘Žȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœDZ

˜••˜ ’—ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž–˜ŸŠ•ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ ŽȱȮȱ ȱ’ȱ’œŒžœœȱ˜‹Ÿ’˜žœ•¢ȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ with Mr Davies and – and we did meet and discuss – discuss it and I think we discussed it on the phone as well. And I knew that the Police Association were going to make big waves about Sir Ken’s removal, and I – and again I – I don’t recall whether it was my idea or his idea or we reached agreement whereby in respect to, if Sir Ken was to withdraw his resignation, the Association would – would pull back on some of the issues that they were looking at campaigning on. And it was a proposal that I put to the Minister and it ultimately, given that Sir Ken didn’t withdraw his resignation, it ultimately wasn’t taken up.

Mr Weston added that part of the understanding was that the Association would also tone down its criticism of Mr Overland.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ’œœžŽœȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱ ˜ž•ȱȁ˜ȱšž’Ž•¢Ȃȱ ˜—ȱ Ž›ŽDZ

Ȋȱ ‘Žȱ ’œœžŽȱ ˜ȱ Šœœ’—’—ȱ ›˜ŽŒ’ŸŽȱ Ž›Ÿ’ŒŽœȱ ĜŒŽ›œȱ ˜ȱ ›Š’• Š¢ȱ œŠ’˜—œȱ ǻȁ‘Žȱ ȱ’œœžŽȂǼǯ

Ȋȱ The enterprise bargaining negotiations then underway between Victoria Police and the Police Association.

Ȋȱ dz“žœȱ˜ȱœ˜™ȱ‘ŽȱŠĴŠŒ”ȱœŠ¢’—ȱŽȱŠ’••’ŽžǰȱŽŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜—ȂȱŒŠ›ŽȱŠ‹˜žȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ˜›ȱ ‘ŠŽŸŽ›.

Ȋȱ ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȂœȱŠĴŠŒ”ȱ˜—ȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ǯȱ

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ•ŠŽ›ȱšžŠ•’ꮍȱ ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱœŠ’ȱŠ‹˜žȱ˜—’—ȱ˜ —ȱ‘ŽȱŠ—’ȬŸŽ›•Š—ȱ›‘Ž˜›’Œǰȱ –Š”’—ȱ’ȱŒ•ŽŠ›ȱ‘Šȱ ‘Šȱ Šœȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱ˜—Žȱ˜ —ȱ Šœȱ‘Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ Ȯȱ ’–˜—ȱ ŸŽ›•Š—ȱŒ˜—Ě’Œǯȱ Žȱ–ŠŽȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—ŒŽœœ’˜—ȱ ‘Ž—ȱ’ȱ Šœȱ™žȱ˜ȱ‘’–ȱ‘Šȱ‘’œȱ‹Ž‘ŠŸ’˜ž›ȱ in feeding story after story to the media critical of Mr Overland (discussed later in this report) was hardly consistent with toning down the anti-Overland rhetoric.

—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ’Ÿ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ™›˜Ÿ’ŽȱŠȱ ›’ĴŽ—ȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›ȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘Žȱ™›˜™˜œŽȱȁŽŠ•Ȃǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Šȱ‹Ž˜›ŽȱœŽ—’—ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ he believes he emailed it to Mr Davies and Mr Davies made some amendments or said he wanted some changes. He said we did kick it back and forward to make sure that we were both happy with it.ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ˜•ȱ‘Šȱ‘’œȱ˜Œž–Ž—ȱŒŠ——˜ȱ‹Žȱ•˜ŒŠŽǯ

—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱŠȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ȱŽŠ›•’Ž›ȱ‘ŠȱŠ¢ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŽ—ȱ‘’œȱ˜Œž–Ž—ȱ ‹¢ȱŽ–Š’•ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ ‘˜ȱŒ˜—ę›–Žȱ’œȱ›ŽŒŽ’™ȱŠ—ȱœŠ’ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱ‘Šȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱ’ȱ

43 Šœȱ Ž••ǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱœŠŸŽȱ‘ŽȱŽ–Š’•ȱ˜—ȱ‘’œȱŒ˜–™žŽ›ȱbecause if anyone Œ˜–Žœȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ–ŠŒ‘’—ŽȱȮȱ ȱ˜—Ȃȱ Š—ȱ‘Ž–ȱ˜ȱꗍȱ’ǯ

ȱŗŖǯŘŝȱ™–ȱ˜—ȱşȱŠ¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠŠ’—ȱ›Š—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǯȱ‘’œȱŒŠ••ȱ ŠœȱŠ•œ˜ȱ’—Ž›ŒŽ™Žǯȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŽ¡™›ŽœœŽȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—ȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™žŠ’˜—ȱ‹Ž’—ȱŠ–ŠŽǰȱŠȱ‘Ž–Žȱ˜ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ ‘Žȱ˜Ž—ȱ›Žž›—Žǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—œ’‘ž••¢DZ

ȱ‘’—”ȱ™›˜‹Š‹•¢ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ‹Ž—Žęȱ˜ȱ‘’—œ’‘ȱ Žȱœ‘˜ž•—Ȃȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ ›’ĴŽ—ȱŠ—¢‘’—ȱ down, but it’s done now.

ȱ‘’œȱ™˜’—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠœ”Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜ȱœŽ—ȱ‘›˜ž‘ȱŠȱœŽŒ˜—ȱ•ŽĴŽ›ǰȱ ’—ȱ œ•’‘•¢ȱ ’쎛Ž—ȱ Ž›–œǰȱ ’‘›Š ’—ȱ ‘’œȱ ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǯȱ ›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ œŠ’ǰȱ ’—ȱ ŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ ˜ȱ  ǰȱȱ ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ’—Ȃȱ‘’—”ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ ˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ‘Š™™¢ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱꛜȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ’ȱ Šœȱ Œ˜žŒ‘Žȱ’—ȱŽ›–œȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ’‘›Š Š•ȱ‹Ž’—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ™Ž›–’œœ’˜—ȱ˜›ȱŒ˜—œŽ—ǯȱ

œȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ȱ™›˜›ŽœœŽǰȱ’ȱ’œȱŽŸ’Ž—ȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱ”ŽŽ—ȱ˜ȱ™›˜ŒŽŽȱ ž—•ŽœœȱŒ˜—ꍮ—ȱ‘Žȱ™›˜™˜œŠ•ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱœž™™˜›ȱ˜ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœ˜ž‘ȱ˜ȱ ›ŽŠœœž›Žȱ‘’–DZ

…let me talk to Peter. Peter and I… get along and I’ll just – I’ll just – I’ll happily go up and just have a chat with him and say ‘look this is the situation Peter, this is the way it is, you know, here are the facts, but here’s what’s being proposed by the Association’ and the reason I brought the Association in is because Peter needs certain things from the Association…

’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ ŠœȱŒ•ŽŠ›•¢ȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—Žȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȂœȱŸ’Ž ȱ–’‘ȱ‹Žȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ œ‘˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ ›’ĴŽ—. Mr Weston again sought to reassure him. Later in the same conversation, Mr Weston recounted what he had said to the Minister regarding ‘’œȱǻ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœǼȱ›ŽŠŒ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ——˜ž—ŒŽ–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱžœ‘ȱ —šž’›¢DZ

Well, I think it’s an eminently sensible solution, but Peter, I hope you’re telling me that you’re applying the golden rule of all political inquiries, and that is that you don’t commission an Inquiry unless you know – you’ve already determined what the outcome’s gonna be… he just gave me a wink. So – and I’ve said ‘and the other thing is I don’t – think perhaps your Inquiry may become – your Inquiry may become redundant’ and he goes ‘well, let’s hope.’

˜ ȱ–žŒ‘ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ’œȱŠŒžŠ•ȱ’œȱŠ—¢˜—ŽȂœȱžŽœœǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱŠ›ŽŽȱ‘Šȱ there was probably a lot of spin and sales pitchȱ ’—ȱ ‘’œȱ ›ŽŒ˜ž—’—ȱ ˜ȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜ȱ ‘’œȱ Œ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ǯȱ˜›Ž˜ŸŽ›ǰȱŠȱ—˜ȱœŠŽȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ•Ž—‘¢ȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ȱ ’ȱ‘ŽȱœžŽœȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ˜žŒ˜–Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱžœ‘ȱ —šž’›¢ȱ ŠœȱŠȱ˜›Ž˜—ŽȱŒ˜—Œ•žœ’˜—ǯȱ ȱ Šœȱ Ž¡›Š˜›’—Š›¢ȱ‘ŠǰȱŠœȱŠȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȂœȱœŠěǰȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ make such a suggestion.

As the conversation further progressed, Mr Weston said I’ll toe in the water it tomorrow and let ya knowǯȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ŠŠ’—ȱ Ž¡™›ŽœœŽȱ Œ˜—ŒŽ›—ȱ Š‹˜žȱ ‘Šȱ Œ˜ž•ȱ ˜ŒŒž›ȱ if we lose

44 control of that document. Mr Weston said he had in fact printed out a copy, but shredded it. He added that’s why I got you to send it to home, because then it’s not on the Government’s system so there’s no trace of it.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Ž—ȱœŠ’DZ

‘Ž›ŽȂœȱ œ˜–Žȱ Ž—˜›–˜žœȱ ›ŠŽȬ˜ěœȱ ‘Šȱ ŒŠ—ȱ ‹Žȱ ŠŒ‘’ŽŸŽȱ ‘›˜ž‘ȱ ‘Žȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱ œœ˜Œ’Š’˜—dzȱŠ—ȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱ‘˜—Žœȱ ’‘ȱ¢˜žǰȱ‘Ž¢ȱŠ›Žȱ›ŠŽȬ˜ěœȱ‘ŠȱŽ¡’œȱ’—ȱ ǽ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȂœǾ mind only. They think that Greg’s prepared to do (a), (b) and (c) ‘Ž—ȱ’—ȱ›ŽŠ•’¢ȱ‘ŽȂœȱ™›Ž™Š›Žȱ˜ȱ˜ȱǻŠǼȱŠ—ȱŠȱ•’Ĵ•Žȱ‹’ȱ˜ȱǻ‹Ǽǯ

’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ›ŽŠŒ’˜—ȱ Šœȱ˜ȱ’œŠ—ŒŽȱ‘’–œŽ•ȱ›˜–ȱ ‘Šȱ Šœȱ‹Ž’—ȱœŠ’ǰȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ ’œȱ ž—œž›™›’œ’—ȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ ‘Šȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ™™ŽŠ›œȱ˜ȱ‹ŽȱœŠ¢’—ȱ Šœȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱȁŽŠ•Ȃȱ Šœȱ˜ȱ be oversold to the Minister by Mr Weston.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱŠœ”Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜ȱœŽ—ȱ‘Žȱ•ŽĴŽ›œȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ‘˜–Žȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽDZȱ

ȱ’—Ȃȱ Š—ȱ‘Žȱ™™˜œ’’˜—ȱŽĴ’—ȱ‘˜•ȱ˜ȱŠ—¢‘’—ȱ‘›˜ž‘ȱ›ŽŽ˜–ȱ ˜ȱ Information… that was one of the considerations that I had.

Announcement proposed for Friday 13 May 2011 —ȱŽ—ŽœŠ¢ȱŗŗȱŠ¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠŠ’—ȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœǯȱ‘ŽȱŒŠ••ȱ Šœȱ ’—Ž›ŒŽ™Žǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ’—˜›–Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—DZ

…there will be an announcement on Friday that you have withdrawn your ›Žœ’—Š’˜—dzȱŠ—ȱ¢˜žȱ’—Ž—ȱ˜ȱ›Ž–Š’—dzȱŠœȱŠȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǰȱ ˜ȱ ensure that you are a compellable witness in the Rush Inquiry.

‘Šȱ Šœȱ‹Ž’—ȱ™›˜™˜œŽȱ ŠœȱŠ—ȱŠ——˜ž—ŒŽ–Ž—ȱ‹¢ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ›Š‘Ž›ȱ‘Š—ȱ Š—ȱ Š——˜ž—ŒŽ–Ž—ȱ‹¢ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ Šœȱž—Œ˜—Ÿ’—ŒŽȱ‹¢ȱ‘’œȱœ›ŠŽ¢ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ œŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱœŽ—ȱœ˜–ŽȱœžŽœŽȱ ˜›’—ǯȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ŠœȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—Žȱ˜ȱ”—˜ ȱ ‘Šȱ ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȂœȱŠĴ’žŽȱ ˜ž•ȱ‹Žǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ ˜ž•ȱœŠ¢DZ

dzŠ—¢ȱŽŒ’œ’˜—ȱ˜›ȱ‘’–ȱ˜ȱ ’‘›Š ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ’œȱŠȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœdzȱ and we will not make further comment [and that it must not be] construed as Peter Ryan backing Ken Jones over Simon Overland.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ ’‘›Š Š•ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ ˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱa shot across… the bow of certain people.

’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱœŽŽ”ȱ•ŽŠ•ȱŠŸ’ŒŽȱ˜—ȱ‘Žȱ™›˜™˜œŠ•ǯȱ

Mr Weston said ‘Ž¢ȱ Š—ȱ˜ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ˜—ȱ›’Š¢ȱȮȱŠ—ȱ’ȱ ’••ȱ‹ŽdzȱŠŠ’—ȱ Žȱ ’••ȱ‹Žȱ ’ĵŽ›•Š—ȱ and be completely neutral…

—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ’Ÿ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ—˜Žȱ‘Žȱ™›Ž™Š›Žȱ˜›ȱ ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ˜—ȱ‘’œȱ’œœžŽȱ›ŽŒ˜––Ž—Žȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ

45 ŠœȱŠȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‘ŽȱŠĴŽ—ŽȱŠ—¢ȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›ȱ ‘Ž›Žȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ Šœȱ’œŒžœœŽǰȱŠ•‘˜ž‘ȱŠȱ˜—ŽȱœŠŽȱ‘ŽȱŠ—ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ ’œŒžœœŽȱ’ȱŸŽ›¢ȱ‹›’ŽĚ¢ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ˜•ȱ‹¢ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ‘ŠDZȱ

…the Government is not going to be asking him to withdraw his resignation, ‘ŠȂœȱŠȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ‘’–Dzȱ‘Žȱ‘Šœȱ˜ȱ–Š”ŽȱŠȱŽŒ’œ’˜—ȱ‘’–œŽ•ǯȱ

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽDZ

Mr Ryan had indicated to me that he held Sir Ken in high regard and that he didn’t wanna be bought into the Jones v Overland debate.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱž—Ž›œ˜˜ȱ‘Šȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ‘›˜ž‘˜žȱ‘’œȱ’–Žȱ as Police Adviser.

Mr Weston went on to say that during the week commencing 6 May, he contacted ›ȱ žœ’—ȱ–’‘ǰȱŽ’•ȱ’Œ‘Ž••Ȃœȱ™›˜žŒŽ›ȱŠȱřȱŠ—ȱŠœ”Žȱ’ȱřȱ ˜ž•ȱŒ˜ŸŽ›ȱ‘Žȱ ’‘›Š Š•ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǯȱ Žȱ Š—Žȱřȱ˜ȱ˜ȱœ˜ȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽDZȱ

…in light of the announcement of the Rush Inquiry… I was very concerned that other members of the police force perhaps wouldn’t be cowed by his removal…

Mr Weston said he asked Mr Smith if he would be interested in doing it and obviously they were… He said he told Mr Smith there’s some things that need to be sorted out, if it’s going to happenǯȱ —ȱ’Ÿ’—ȱ‘’œȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŽ¡™•Š’—ŽȱI was in a bit of a silly, you know, frame of mind at that stage.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘ŽȱŠ•œ˜ȱŒ˜—ŠŒŽȱ Ž˜ěȱ’•”’—œ˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱHerald Sun along the same lines. Mr Weston said he had informed Mr Hindmarsh that he had spoken to the media, but had not told him who he had actually spoken to. He told Mr Hindmarsh there won’t be any issue from the media side of it.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŒ˜—ę›–Žȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ—ŽŸŽ›ȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱŠȱ›ŽšžŽœȱ›˜–ȱŠ—¢˜—Žȱ’—ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ ›¢ȱ˜ȱ™Ž›œžŠŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜ȱœž‹–’ȱŠȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ ’‘›Š ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǯȱ ’œȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ was that he discussed the idea with Mr Hindmarsh at length and told Mr Hindmarsh ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ›¢ȱ˜ȱŽȱœžŒ‘ȱŠȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȂœȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›Š’˜—ǯȱ ŽȱŠ•œ˜ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ discussed the idea with Mr Davies.

ȱ’œȱŒ•ŽŠ›ȱ›˜–ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱȁŽŠ•Ȃȱ Šœȱ˜ȱ‹ŽȱŠȱŒ•˜œŽ•¢ȱžŠ›ŽȱœŽŒ›Žȱ –ȱŠœȱ˜—Žȱ–’‘ȱ Ž••ȱ’–Š’—Žǯȱ ȱŒŽ›Š’—•¢ȱ Šœ—Ȃȱ’—Ž—Žȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱ™ž‹•’Œ•¢ȱŠ——˜ž—ŒŽǯȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Žȱ’—Ȃȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ‘ŽȱŽŠ•ȱ Ž—ȱ‘›˜ž‘ȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ž•’–ŠŽ•¢ȱ ‹ŽŒŠ–Žȱ ‘’Žȱ ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ǰȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜ž•ȱ ‹Žȱ ’—ȱ ‘Žȱ Ž‹ȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ Association and compromised. This comment is either disingenuous or naive, or ‹˜‘DZȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ˜ž•ȱŒŽ›Š’—•¢ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŠȱ™Ž›ŒŽ™’˜—ȱ˜ȱŒ˜–™›˜–’œŽǰȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŠ•’¢ȱ of compromise.

46 ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Šȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—œȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ‘ŽȱŽ¡ŠŽ›ŠŽȱ ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱ ˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ™›Ž™Š›Žȱ˜ȱ˜ȱ’ȱ‘Žȱ ’‘›Š Š•ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ was accepted. He agreed he oversold the deal Šȱ•’Ĵ•Žȱ‹’ȱto Mr Hindmarsh and that overselling it to Mr Hindmarsh meant overselling it to the Minister.

The proposed withdrawal of resignation founders ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ ’‘’—ȱŠ¢œȱ˜ȱŜȱŠ¢ǰȱ‘Žȱ–Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠȱ‘’œȱ‘˜–Žȱ˜—Žȱ evening in company with Mr Tilley. According to Mr Weston, the purpose of the visit Šœȱ –Š’—•¢ȱ ˜ȱ Œ˜—œ˜•Žȱ Š—ȱ Ž—Œ˜ž›ŠŽȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜••˜ ’—ȱ ‘Žȱ ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›Ȃœȱ ’›ŽŒ’˜—ȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ”Žȱ•ŽŠŸŽȱž—’•ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱŠŽǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ Minister was aware of this visit.

ŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ’—’ŒŠŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ’—Ž—ȱ˜ȱ˜ȱŠ‘ŽŠȱ ’‘ȱ ‘Žȱ ’‘›Š Š•ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǯȱ ŽȱŠœ”Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ—˜ȱ˜ȱ’ŸŽȱ‘Žȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ•ŠŽ›ȱŽ•ŽŽȱ‘Žȱ•ŽĴŽ›œȱ›˜–ȱ‘’œȱŒ˜–™žŽ›ȱ and that the Minister has never seen them.

Mr Weston said he thinks the Minister knew there were discussions but not the œž‹œŠ—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ•ŽĴŽ›.

According to Mr Weston he subsequently spoke to Mr Smith at 3AW and told him it’s not gonna happen.

›ȱ’••Ž¢Ȃœȱ›ŽŒ˜••ŽŒ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŸ’œ’ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ‘˜–Žȱ‘ŠȱŽŸŽ—’—ȱ’œȱ–˜›ŽȱŽŠ’•ŽȱŠ—ȱ œ˜–Ž ‘Šȱ’쎛Ž—ǯȱ›˜–ȱ›ȱ’••Ž¢ȂœȱŽœŒ›’™’˜—ǰȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ˜ŒŒž››Žȱ˜—ȱ‘ŽȱŽŸŽ—’—ȱ of Saturday 14 May. Mr Tilley said in evidence he decided, that day, to approach Sir Ž—ȱǻ˜ȱ ‘˜–ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ—ŽŸŽ›ȱ™›ŽŸ’˜žœ•¢ȱœ™˜”Ž—Ǽȱ˜ȱž›Žȱ‘’–ȱ˜ȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›ȱ ’‘›Š ’—ȱ his resignation. Mr Tilley said in evidence that I personally wanted things to slow down: things were happening very quickly.ȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ›ŽŽ››’—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ’—šž’›¢ȱ into the release of police statistics prior to the 2010 election and the announcement ŽŠ›•’Ž›ȱ‘Šȱ ŽŽ”ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽœŠ‹•’œ‘–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ™ŽŒ’Š•ȱ —šž’›¢ȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱžœ‘ȱǯ

—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ’Ÿ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ›ȱ’••Ž¢ȱœŠ’ȱ‘ŽȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ—ȱŠœ”Žȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜ȱŠ››Š—ŽȱŠȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ‘ŠȱŠ¢ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ›Š—ȱ‹ŠŒ”ȱ˜ȱŒ˜—ę›–ȱ‘ŠȱŠȱ meeting had been arranged. Mr Tilley then drove from Donvale to Sunbury to collect ›ȱŽœ˜—ǯȱ‘Ž¢ȱ‘Ž—ȱ›ŠŸŽ••Žȱ˜Ž‘Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ‘˜–ŽǰȱŠ››’Ÿ’—ȱŠŽ›ȱŠ›”ǯȱ‘Ž¢ȱ –Žȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǯȱŠ¢ȱ ˜—Žœȱ ŠœȱŠ•œ˜ȱ™›ŽœŽ—ǯȱ›ȱ’••Ž¢ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ could not be persuaded to withdraw his resignation.

—ȱ’Ÿ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ›ȱ’••Ž¢ȱŽ–™‘Šœ’œŽȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱŠ™™›˜ŠŒ‘Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ˜ —ȱ volition and not on behalf of the Government. He said he was hoping to speak to ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ‘Žȱ˜••˜ ’—ȱ˜—Š¢ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ—Ž œȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜ž•ȱ›ŽŒ˜—œ’Ž›ȱ his resignation. He said he did not inform Minister Ryan in advance of the visit, but subsequently told him what had occurred.

47 —ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ǰȱ›ȱ’••Ž¢ȱ ŠœȱŠœ”Žȱ ‘Ž‘Ž›ȱ‘Žȱ ŠœȱŠ Š›Žǰȱ™›’˜›ȱ ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŸ’œ’ǰȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘ŠȱŽ–Š’•Žȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱŽŠ›•’Ž›ȱ’—ȱ the week seeking to withdraw his resignation. Mr Tilley said he became aware of the •ŽĴŽ›ȱŠȱœ˜–ŽȱœŠŽȱ‹žȱ’œȱž—ŒŽ›Š’—ȱ ‘Ž—ǯȱ ȱœŽŽ–œȱ‘’‘•¢ȱ’–™›˜‹Š‹•Žǰȱ‘˜ ŽŸŽ›ǰȱ‘Šȱ Mr Weston would not have shared this information with Mr Tilley on or prior to their Ÿ’œ’ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǰȱ‘ŠŸ’—ȱ›ŽŠ›ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ•˜œŽ—Žœœȱ˜ȱ‘Ž’›ȱ›Ž•Š’˜—œ‘’™ȱŠ—ȱ‘Žȱ™ž›™˜œŽȱ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǯ

œ”Žȱ ‘Ž‘Ž›ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ–’‘ȱ’—ȱŠŒȱ‘ŠŸŽȱœžŽœŽȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǰȱ Mr Tilley said look, I really don’t know.

—ȱ‘’œȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ›ȱ’••Ž¢ȱŽ–™‘Šœ’œŽȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱ‘’œȱ’—Ž—’˜—ȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—Ȃœȱ Œ˜—›ŠŒȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹ŽȱŽ›–’—ŠŽȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ’—œŠ••Žȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ™•ŠŒŽǯ

Sir Ken Jones’ response ‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱŽ•’ŸŽ›Žȱ˜—ȱ‹Ž‘Š•ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠœœŽ›œȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱsays he has done nothing wrong and feels his contact with [Mr Weston] has been seriously misconstrued. ‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱŠœœŽ›œȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǰȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱŽŠ•’—œȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ—ȱ›ȱ’••Ž¢ǰȱhad no reason to suppose he was not dealing with the Government itself.

‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱœŠŽœȱ‘ŠǰȱŠȱ‘Žȱ’–Žȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—œǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ Šœȱ in a distressed and vulnerable state as a result of what had occurred the previous week. He felt žĴŽ›•¢ȱ Š‹Š—˜—Žȱ ‹¢ȱ Ž¡ȬŒ˜••ŽŠžŽœǯȱ Žȱ Šœȱ Œ˜—ŒŽ›—Žȱ Š‹˜žȱ ‘’œȱ ’ŽȂœȱ health. He and his wife were still under stress as a result of earlier (work-related) death threats, in response to which high level security arrangements had been made by Victoria Police.

The response acknowledges that the telephone conversations can be seen in a negative light. ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘Šȱ˜›–ŽȱŠȱ‹Ž•’Žȱthat Government would, after all, support him publicly, restoring his dignity. He believed the Government, through Mr Weston and later through Mr Tilley, was reaching out to him.

ŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ–ŠŽȱ’ȱŒ•ŽŠ›ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›ȱ a proposal involving withdrawal of his resignation only with the Deputy Premier’s overt and public support.ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœŠ ȱ‘Žȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱŠœȱŠȱœ›’Œ•¢ȱ™Ž›œ˜—Š•ȱŠ—ȱ™›’ŸŠŽȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱž—•ŽœœȱŠ—ȱ until the Deputy Premier made some sort of public gesture. Šȱ‘Ž›Žȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ’–Žǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ would have ™Ž›œ˜—Š••¢ȱ‘Š— ›’ĴŽ—ǰȱœ’—ŽȱŠ—ȱŽ•’ŸŽ›ŽȱŠȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽ™ž¢ȱ›Ž–’Ž›Ȃœȱ ˜ĜŒŽǰ but Mr Weston insisted that time was of the essence. According to the response, Sir Ž—ȂœȱŽœ’›Žȱ˜ȱ™›˜ŽŒȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ꍮ—’Š•’¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱŠ›˜œŽȱ›˜–ȱ™›ŽŸ’˜žœȱŽ¡™Ž›’Ž—ŒŽȱ ˜ȱŒ˜—ꍮ—ŒŽœȱ‹Ž’—ȱ‹›ŽŠŒ‘Žǯ

ŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽǰȱ‘Žȱꛜȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱœŠŽȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ Šœȱ ’‘›Š ’—ȱ‘’œȱ resignation with the support of the Deputy Premier. Mr Weston wanted this removed, ‘Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Žȱ—ŽŽȱ˜›ȱŠȱœŽŒ˜—ȱ•ŽĴŽ›ǯȱ ȱ ŠœȱŠȱ‘’œȱ™˜’—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱbegan to sense that Mr

48 Weston may have promised something that for some reason he could no longer deliver – the support of the Deputy Premier.

‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ•ŽŠŸŽœȱ–Š—¢ȱšžŽœ’˜—œȱž—Š—œ Ž›Žǯȱ‘¢ȱ Šœȱȁ’–Žȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽœœŽ—ŒŽȂȱ˜—ȱ ‘ŽȱŽŸŽ—’—ȱ˜ȱ˜—Š¢ȱşȱŠ¢ǵȱ‘¢ȱ Šœȱ’ȱ—ŽŒŽœœŠ›¢ȱ˜›ȱŠȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱ™›Ž™Š›ŽȱŠ—ȱ œŽ—ȱ‘Šȱ—’‘ǵȱ‘¢ȱŒ˜ž•ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ—˜ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ™Ž›œ˜—Š••¢ȱ‘Š— ›’ĴŽ—ǰȱœ’—ŽȱŠ—ȱŽ•’ŸŽ›Žȱ Šȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽ™ž¢ȱ›Ž–’Ž›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ‘Žȱ—Ž¡ȱ–˜›—’—ǵȱ ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ŠœȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—ŽȱŠ‹˜žȱ ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ꍮ—’Š•’¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ’‘›Š Š•ȱ•ŽĴŽ›ǰȱ ‘¢ȱ’ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›ŽŽȱ˜ȱœŽ—ȱ’ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœǵȱ ‘¢ȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŒ‘Š—Žȱ‘’œȱ–’—ȱŠ‹˜žȱ›Žœ’—’—ǵȱŠœȱ‘Žȱ’—ĚžŽ—ŒŽȱ ‹¢ȱ ›ȱ Žœ˜—Ȃœȱ’—’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ‘ŠȱI don’t think they’ll be hanging on to him [Mr Overland]… there is a line in the sand now?ȱ ȱ‘Žȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ Šœȱreaching out to him, why was it necessary (less still, appropriate) for the withdrawal proposal to be linked to a ȁŽŠ•Ȃȱ’—Ÿ˜•Ÿ’—ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ǵȱŠœȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—Žȱ‘ŠȱŠ—¢ȱœžŒ‘ȱȁŽŠ•ȂǰȱœŽŒ›Ž•¢ȱ negotiated, might compromise him in any future role with Victoria Police?

 ȱ‘Šœȱ—˜ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ˜™™˜›ž—’¢ȱ˜ȱ™žȱ‘ŽœŽȱŠ—ȱ˜‘Ž›ȱšžŽœ’˜—œȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœǯ

Evidence of Mr Davies ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱŠȱŒ˜™¢ȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱŽ–Š’•ȱ›˜–ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ’‘›Š ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǰȱ‹žȱ ŠœȱŸŠžŽȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘ŽȱŒ’›Œž–œŠ—ŒŽœǯȱ Žȱ Šœ—Ȃȱœž›Žȱ’ȱ ’ȱŒŠ–Žȱ›˜–ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜›ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǯȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜™¢ȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱ Šœȱ˜ȱŠȱœŒŠ——Žȱ˜Œž–Ž—ǯȱ ȱ‘ŠȱŠȱœ’—Šž›Žǯȱ ȱ Šœȱ’—Œ•žŽȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ‹˜¢ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽ–Š’•ǰȱ—˜ȱŠœȱŠ—ȱŠĴŠŒ‘–Ž—ǯȱ

›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ™›ŽŸ’˜žœ•¢ȱ’œŒžœœŽȱ ’‘ȱ‹˜‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Žȱ ™˜œœ’‹’•’¢ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ’‘›Š ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǯȱ Žȱ˜•ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘’œȱŽ™Š›ž›Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ‹ŽȱŠȱ•˜œœȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—ȱž›Žȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜ȱ›ŽŒ˜—œ’Ž›ǯȱ‘’œȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—ȱ˜˜”ȱ place prior to 6 May 2011. Mr Davies is not sure whether he took up this issue with ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠŠ’—ȱŠŽ›ȱŜȱŠ¢ǯȱ ŽȱœŠ¢œȱ‘Žȱœ™˜”Žȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜—ȱ›’Š¢ȱŜȱŠ¢ȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŽŸŽ—’—ǯ

›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ’œŒžœœŽȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ ‘Ž‘Ž›ȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ™˜ Ž›ȱ˜ȱŽěŽŒ’ŸŽ•¢ȱœžœ™Ž—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǯȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ™›˜ěŽ›Žȱ‘ŽȱŸ’Ž ȱ ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱŠ™™Š›Ž—•¢ȱŽ—Ž›Žȱ’—ȱŒ˜‹Ž›ȱŘŖŗŖȱ ˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ‹ŽȱŽěŽŒ’ŸŽȱž—’•ȱ ’ȱ ŠœȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›Žȱ‹¢ȱ‘Žȱ¡ŽŒž’ŸŽȱ˜ž—Œ’•ǯȱ

›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ–Š”ŽȱŠȱŽŒ’œ’˜—ȱ˜ȱœŽ—ȱ‘Žȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱin consultation with me. He said so far as he is concerned the sum total of his involvement in the proposal Šœȱ‘’œȱ˜™’—’˜—ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ˜›’’—Š•ȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ–Š¢ȱ—˜ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŽěŽŒ’ŸŽȱŠ—ȱŒ˜ž•ȱ ‹Žȱ ’‘›Š —ǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ—˜ȱ›ŽŒ˜••ŽŒ’˜—ȱ˜ȱœ™ŽŠ”’—ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘Žȱ•ŽĴŽ›ǯ

Mr Davies denies there was a ‘deal’ —ȱ‘’œȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱŠŒŒŽ™œȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ ’œȱŒ˜––’ĴŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ™›˜™˜œŠ•ȱ˜ȱ™•ŠŒŽȱ›˜ŽŒ’ŸŽȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽœȱĜŒŽ›œȱǻœǼȱ˜—ȱ›Š’• Š¢ȱ stations and that the proposal will be progressed. He said, however, that the Police Association has grave concerns about the way the proposal is being rolled out and grave concerns about the way it will be implemented and the logistics of it. He said in

Śş evidence he has aired those concerns with the Police Minister privately. His concerns include occupational safety for both PSOs and sworn police if the proposal is rolled out in the format currently being proposed.

›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ ŠœȱŽę—’Ž•¢ȱœŽŽ”’—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱŒŽŠœŽȱ its criticism of the PSO proposal. At an early stage in his evidence, Mr Davies said he could not recall whether he had agreed that the Police Association would tone down its rhetoric on the PSO issue if the Government looked favourably on the withdrawal ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǰȱ‘˜ž‘ȱ‘Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱŽ—¢ȱ‘Žȱ–Š¢ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱœŠ’ȱœ˜–Ž‘’—ȱŠ•˜—ȱ those lines. Again, he was somewhat vague on this issue.

ŠŽ›ȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱŠ—¢ȱž—Ž›Š”’—ȱ˜ȱȁ˜ȱŽŠœ¢Ȃȱ˜—ȱ‘Žȱȱ’œœžŽȱ ˜ž•ȱ ‘ŠŸŽȱ ‹ŽŽ—ȱ ’Žȱ ˜ȱ Ž—Ž›™›’œŽȱ ‹Š›Š’—’—ȱ –ŠĴŽ›œǰȱ —˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ’‘›Š Š•ȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‹¢ȱŽœ˜—ȱ•’—”’—ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ȱ Šœȱ’—Œ˜››ŽŒDZȱ

I don’t know what was in his mind. I don’t know if he was being disingenuous when he said to Sir Ken that certain things had been done or promised or whatever. I don’t know. But from my perspective there was no deal.

Mr Davies was asked whether he had agreed that the Police Association would tone down some of its anti-government advertising if the Government looked favourably ˜—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ ’‘›Š Š•ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ’—Ȃ think so but conceded ‘Žȱ™˜œœ’‹’•’¢DZȱ

dz–Š¢‹Žȱ ȱ ŠœȱŠȱ•’Ĵ•Žȱ—Šž‘¢ȱ’—ȱœŠ¢’—ǰȱ¢˜žȱ”—˜ ǰȱ’ȱ¢˜žȱŠŒŒŽ™ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ we’ll stop the campaign or stop the ads, knowing full well they were gonna stop anyway.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘ŠȱŽŠ›•’Ž›ȱ’ŸŽ—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ™›Ž™Š›ŽȱŠȱ–Ž–˜›Š—ž–ȱ˜›ȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ —˜Žȱ˜›ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ˜—ȱ‘Žȱ’œœžŽȱŠ—ǰȱ‹Ž˜›Žȱ‘Žȱœž‹–’ĴŽȱ’ǰȱ‘Žȱ›Š—ȱ’ȱ™Šœȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱ to check it and we did kick it back and forward to make sure we were both happy with it. ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘ŠȱŽ–Š’•œȱ Ž›ŽȱŽ¡Œ‘Š—Žȱ˜—ȱŠœ™ŽŒœȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ—Ž›™›’œŽȱ Š›Š’—’—ȱ›ŽŽ–Ž—ǰȱ‹žȱ—˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ••ŽŽȱȁŽŠ•Ȃǯȱ

Mr Davies said I would never have described myself as being central to this (as suggested ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ǽǯȱ ŽȱŽ—’Žȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ˜’—ȱ˜ȱ‹›˜”Ž›ȱŠ—ȱŠ›ŽŽ–Ž—ȱ ’‘ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ’—ȱ›Ž•Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ’‘›Š Š•ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱǻŠœȱ ŠœȱŠ•œ˜ȱœžŽœŽȱ ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ǽǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ–Š¢ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱ ˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ œž™™˜›’ŸŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ’—ȱŠŒŒŽ™’—ȱ‘Žȱ ’‘›Š Š•ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—Ȃœȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǯ

—ȱ’Ÿ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ™›˜™˜œŠ•ȱ˜›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜ȱ ’‘›Š ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ petered out because clearly he didn’t get what he was hoping for.

ȱž—Ž›œŠ—ȱ‘’–ȱ˜ȱ–ŽŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ’—ȂȱŽȱŠ—ȱ’—’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ›˜–ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ withdrawal of resignation would be accepted and acted upon.

50 —ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ’Ÿ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ’ȱ Šœȱ—ŽŸŽ›ȱ‘’œȱŸ’Ž ȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ’›ȱȱ Ž—ȱ ‹ŽŒŠ–Žȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ˜ Žȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱŠȱŠŸ˜ž›ǯȱ —ȱŠȱ response to a draft of this report, Mr Davies said he was all times motivated by what he believed to be in the best interest of Victoria Police and the community.

Mr Hindmarsh’s version of events ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱŽ¡™›ŽœœŽȱœ‘˜Œ”ȱŠ—ȱŠ—Ž›ȱ ‘Ž—ȱœ˜–Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—Ž›ŒŽ™ŽȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—Žȱ Œ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—œȱ Ž›Žȱ‹›˜ž‘ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŠĴŽ—’˜—ȱ‹¢ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ –Ž—’˜—Žȱ ˜ȱ ‘’–ȱ ‘Žȱ ™˜œœ’‹’•’¢ȱ ˜ȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ’‘›Š ’—ȱ ‘’œȱ ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǰȱ ‹žȱ ‘Žȱ Œ˜—Ž¡ȱ Šœȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Šȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŠ™™›˜ŠŒ‘Žȱ‹¢ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ǰȱ ˜—ȱ ‹Ž‘Š•ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǰȱ˜ȱŠžŽȱ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—Ȃœȱ•’”Ž•¢ȱ›ŽŠŒ’˜—ǯȱ˜ȱŠ›ȱŠœȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ was aware, Mr Weston was simply passing on what he was being told by others. ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ˜•ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Šȱ ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱŒ‘˜œŽȱ˜ȱ˜ȱ ŠœȱŠȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ ’›ȱ Ž—DZȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ ˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ‹ŽŒ˜–Žȱ’—Ÿ˜•ŸŽǯȱ

Mr Hindmarsh said he was not told Mr Weston was an active proponent of the ™›˜™˜œŽȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ ’‘›Š Š•ǯȱȱ˜—Žȱ™˜’—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜•ȱ‘’–ȱŠȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ Šœȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱ Š¡Žȱ‘›˜ž‘ǰȱ‹žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ’ȱ—˜ȱœŠ¢ȱ‘Žȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ‘Šȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŒ›ŽŠŽȱŠȱ‘’œȱ’—œ’Š’˜—ǯȱ According to Mr Hindmarsh, there was no announcement planned for Friday 13 May ˜ȱ‘Žȱ”’—ȱœžŽœŽȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǯȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱ˜•ȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ Šœȱ—Ž˜’Š’—ȱ˜›ȱ‹›˜”Ž›’—ȱŠ—¢ȱœ˜›ȱ˜ȱȁŽŠ•Ȃȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱ connected with the proposed withdrawal.

At some stage, Mr Weston mentioned to him the possibility of negotiating a more ŠŸ˜ž›Š‹•Žȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱ•’—”Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ’‘›Š Š•ȱ‹¢ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ of his resignation, but Mr Hindmarsh said the suggestion annoyed him and he cut it down straight away.

So far as Mr Hindmarsh is concerned, Mr Weston was acting entirely beyond the œŒ˜™Žȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŠž‘˜›’¢ȱ’—ȱŒ˜—žŒ’—ȱ—Ž˜’Š’˜—œȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱ ˜ȱ‘Žȱ”’—ȱ›ŽŸŽŠ•Žȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ’—Ž›ŒŽ™ŽȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—œǯȱ —ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘Ȃœȱ view, Mr Weston behaviour was disgraceful and amounted to gross misconduct.

›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŠŒŒ˜ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ ‘Šȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—’—ȱ‘Žȱ˜žŒ˜–Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱžœ‘ȱ —šž’›¢ȱŠœȱdelusional.

The Minister’s response ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ’ȱ Šœȱ—ŽŸŽ›ȱ‘’œȱ’—Ž—’˜—ȱ˜ȱ˜žœȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ as Chief Commissioner. He said he had established a very good relationship with ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱŠ—ȱ ŠœȱŒ˜––’ĴŽȱ˜ȱ ˜›”’—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘’–ǯȱ Žȱ›žœŽȱ‘’–ȱŠ—ȱ›ŽŠ›Žȱ him as Šȱ–Š—ȱ˜ȱꗎȱ’ŽŠ•œǯȱHe felt Mr Overland was discharging his role satisfactorily.

’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—ŠŒȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ Šœȱ–’—’–Š•ȱŠ—ȱ˜ŒŒž››Žȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ Œ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ—˜›–Š•ȱž’Žœǯ

51 ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘ŽȱŽ¡™›ŽœœŽȱœ˜–Žȱœž›™›’œŽȱ ‘Ž—ȱꛜȱ˜•ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǰȱ‹žȱ‘Šȱ‘’œȱŠĴ’žŽȱŠ• Š¢œȱ Šœȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ ŠœȱŠȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ ˜›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœǯȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ˜Žœ—Ȃȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‘Žȱ ŠœȱŽŸŽ›ȱ˜•ȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ’—Ž—Žȱ˜ȱ ’‘›Š ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǯȱ Žȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱ˜•ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽ¡’œŽ—ŒŽȱ˜ȱŠȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ ˜ȱ‘ŠȱŽěŽŒǯ

‘Ž—ȱ‘ŽȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—œȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ˜—ȱşȱŠ¢ȱ were played to Minister Ryan he said he was dumbfounded that Mr Weston would engage in such conversations and also dumbfoundedȱ‘ŠȱŠ—ȱ˜ĜŒŽ›ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ rank would engage in such conversations. Minister Ryan said the conversations should not have occurred.

’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱŽ—’Žȱ”—˜ •ŽŽȱ˜ȱŠ—¢ȱȁŽŠ•Ȃȱ’—Ÿ˜•Ÿ’—ȱ‘Žȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱŠ—ȱ Šȱ ’‘›Š Š•ȱ‹¢ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǯȱ ŽȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ‘Žȱ—˜’˜—ȱ˜ȱœžŒ‘ȱŠȱ ȁŽŠ•ȂȱŠœȱ‘’‘•¢ȱ˜ěŽ—œ’ŸŽȱand the creation of Tristan Weston and fanciful nonsense.

’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šœȱ—˜ȱ›ŽŒ˜••ŽŒ’˜—ȱ˜ȱœŽŽ’—ȱŠȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ—˜Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ”’—ȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘ŽȱŒŽ›Š’—•¢ȱ’ȱ—˜ȱœŽŽȱŠȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ—˜ŽȱœŽĴ’—ȱ˜žȱŠ—¢ȱȁŽŠ•Ȃȱ involving the Police Association, which Minister Ryan described as ꌝ’˜—ǯ

Minister Ryan said Mr Weston had no role in leading the enterprise bargaining discussions and that he was acting žĴŽ›•¢ȱŠ—ȱŒ˜–™•ŽŽ•¢ȱ˜žœ’Žȱ‘Žȱ™›˜Ÿ’—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ his responsibilities.

’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ ŠœȱŒ˜—ŠŒŽȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱ••Š—ȱ¢Ž›œȱȱ˜—ȱ ‹Ž‘Š•ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ ’‘ȱŠȱ›ŽšžŽœȱ‘Šȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ–ŽŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱœ˜ȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŒ˜ž•ȱ’—˜›–ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱwhat Jones thought was wrong with the way in which ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ Šœȱ‹Ž’—ȱŒ˜––Š—Žǯȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘ŽȱŽŒ•’—Žȱ˜ȱ–ŽŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›ŽȱœžŒ‘ȱŠȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—ȱ ˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ‹ŽȱŠ™™›˜™›’ŠŽȱ˜›ȱŒ˜—œ’œŽ—ȱ with the role of Minister for Police.

’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱž—Š Š›Žȱ˜ȱ›ȱ’••Ž¢ȂœȱŸ’œ’ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ‘˜–Žǯȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱ—˜ȱŠ™™›˜ŠŒ‘ȱ›˜–ȱ›ȱ’••Ž¢ȱ’—ȱ›Ž•Š’˜—ȱ ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠŽ›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ Šœȱ’›ŽŒŽȱ‹¢ȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ˜ȱ Š”Žȱ•ŽŠŸŽȱ˜—ȱŜȱŠ¢ǯȱ Žȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽœǰȱ‘˜ ŽŸŽ›ǰȱ‘Šȱ›ȱ’••Ž¢ȱ‘ŠȱŠȱœ˜–ŽȱœŠŽȱŽ¡™›ŽœœŽȱ Œ˜—ŒŽ›—œȱŠ‹˜žȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—Ȃœȱ™Ž›˜›–Š—ŒŽȱand had indicated to me that he’d prefer Sir Ken Jones to be doing it. Minister Ryan said Mr Greg Davies also has said to me in the past that he’d have preferred to have Ken Jones as the Chief Commissioner.

52 ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ–Ž’ŠȱŒŠ–™Š’—

The Sunday Ageȱ˜—ȱśȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗȱ›Ž™˜›Žȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—ȱ–Ž›Ž—Œ¢ȱ Ž›Ÿ’ŒŽœǰȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ǰȱŠœȱœŠ¢’—DZ

I’ve not seen the like of the campaign that’s been run against [Mr Overland]. Never seen the like of it in my 18 years in politics and in my similar time in ™›’ŸŠŽȱ•’Žǯȱ ȱ’œȱž—›Ž–’Ĵ’—ȱŠ—ȱ’Ȃœȱ›Ž–˜›œŽ•Žœœǯ

‘ŽȱŒ‘›˜—˜•˜¢ȱŠȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜––Ž—ŒŽ–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŽ™˜›ȱ™›˜ŸŽœȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ™˜’—ǰȱ Ž••ȱ and truly. My investigation has established that one of the most energetic campaigners Šœȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǯȱ ȱ’œȱ—˜ȱŠ••ŽŽȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‹ŽŠ—ȱ‘ŽȱŒŠ–™Š’—ǰȱ—˜›ȱ’œȱ’ȱŠ••ŽŽȱ‘Šȱ he had a hand in every negative story listed in the chronology, but his involvement in œ˜–Žȱ’œȱ’››ŽžŠ‹•ŽǰȱŠ—ȱ’—ȱ˜‘Ž›œȱ™›˜‹Š‹•Žǯȱ Žȱ ŠœȱŠ’—ȱžŽ•ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱꛎȱ– at times with malice.

3AW ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ’—ȱŠ›Œ‘ȱ˜›ȱ™›’•ȱŘŖŗŗȱ‘Žȱ•ž—Œ‘Žȱ ’‘ȱ žœ’—ȱ–’‘ǰȱ Ž’•ȱ’Œ‘Ž••Ȃœȱ™›˜žŒŽ›ǯȱ ŽȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ‘Žȱ•ž—Œ‘ȱŠœȱjust a re-acquaintance. A week or  ˜ȱ•ŠŽ›ȱ‘Žȱ–Žȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱ’Œ‘Ž••ȱŠ—ȱ›ȱ–’‘ȱ’—ȱ›ȱ–’‘Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǯȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ lasted about an hour. Mr Weston said in evidence he discussed with them some of the concerns he had about Mr Overland and Victoria Police and that the police force was in all sorts of dire, you know, problems with its administration… Žȱ˜•ȱ‘Ž–DZ

…there was all these issues and no one seemed to want to ever take any responsibility for it, everyone seemed to want to pass the buck.

ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ’—ȂȱŽ••ȱ‘Ž–ȱŠ—¢‘’—ȱ‘Šȱ Šœ—ȂȱŠ•›ŽŠ¢ȱ™ž‹•’Œ•¢ȱ”—˜ —.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ˜—ȱşȱŠ¢ǰȱ‘Žȱ˜—Š¢ȱŠŽ›ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ Šœȱ’›ŽŒŽȱ by the Chief Commissioner to take leave, he (Mr Weston) rang Mr Smith to defend ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱI believe that the reference to this email was not accurate. He was referring to an interview of the Chief Commissioner earlier that day by Neil Mitchell ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ‘Žȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ’œȱœŠ’ȱ˜ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ’–™•’Žȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ –Š¢ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ•ŽŠ”ŽȱŠ—ȱ’—Ž›—Š•ȱŽ–Š’•ȱ›Ž•Š’—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱȁ™Š›˜•ŽŽȱ’œœžŽȂǰȱ’œŒžœœŽȱ’—ȱŽŠ’•ȱ below under Herald Sun şȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗǯ

Mr Weston said in evidence a number of times that Minister Ryan did not intend ˜ȱ ‹ŽŒ˜–Žȱ ’—Ÿ˜•ŸŽȱ ’—ȱ Š—¢ȱ ’œ™žŠ’˜—ȱ ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ ›ȱ ŸŽ›•Š—ȱ Š—ȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœǯȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒŠ••ȱ˜ȱ›ȱ–’‘ǰȱ˜ȱŽŽ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ǰȱ Šœȱ‘Ž›Ž˜›ŽȱŒ˜—›Š›¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ wishes. Mr Weston said in evidence he did not inform Mr Hindmarsh or the Minister ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ–ŠŽȱ‘ŽȱŒŠ••ǰȱ—˜›ȱ’ȱ‘Žȱ›ŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ–Š”ŽȱŠ—¢ȱŽ—šž’›’Žœȱ™›’˜›ȱ˜ȱ

53 making the call. He said his view that a lot of people would have had access to that email was based on his own understanding of how the police email system worked.

‘Žȱ™˜œœ’‹•Žȱœ˜ž›ŒŽǰȱ˜›ȱœ˜ž›ŒŽœǰȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ”—˜ •ŽŽȱ˜ȱ–ŠĴŽ›œȱ›ŽŽ››Žȱ˜ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ email will be considered in my report to the Ombudsman.

Herald Sun reporter Ms Carly Crawford —ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ’Ÿ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱœȱŠ›•¢ȱ›Š ˜›ȱ ŠœȱŠȱ“˜ž›—Š•’œȱ who had concerns that Mr Overland wasn’t what he purported to be and never wanted to accept responsibility for any actions, it was always someone else’s fault. According to Mr Weston, Ms Crawford said there was a prevailing view at the Herald Sun that Mr Overland was either corrupt or inept or a combination of both.

œȱ›Š ˜›ȱ ŠœȱŽ¡Š–’—ŽȱŠœȱ™Š›ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ǰȱ™›’–Š›’•¢ȱ ˜ȱ ’ŸŽȱ ‘Ž›ȱ ‘Žȱ ˜™™˜›ž—’¢ȱ ˜ȱ ›Žœ™˜—ȱ ˜ȱ ›ȱ Žœ˜—Ȃœȱ –Š—¢ȱ ›ŽŽ›Ž—ŒŽœȱ ˜ȱ ‘Ž›ȱ ’—ȱ‘’œȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǯȱ Ms Crawford said she had known Mr Weston for some years. She said she had no ›ŽŒ˜••ŽŒ’˜—ȱ˜ȱŽ¡™›Žœœ’—ȱŸ’Ž œȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ”’—ȱŠĴ›’‹žŽȱ˜ȱ‘Ž›ȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱǻŠ‹˜ŸŽǼȱ and doubted that she did. She conceded, however, that she might have allowed Mr Weston to form impressions along those lines so that he would be more willing to share information with her.

Ms Crawford was invited, in her evidence, to comment on the circumstances in which she obtained information, but declined to do so, citing her ethical obligations as a journalist. She did, however, say that if Mr Weston had given her information ‘on the ›ŽŒ˜›Ȃǰȱ’ȱ ˜ž•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŠĴ›’‹žŽȱ˜ȱ‘’–ȱ’—ȱŠ—¢ȱ™ž‹•’œ‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•Žǯȱ

—ȱ—˜—Žȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•Žœȱ›ŽŽ››Žȱ˜ȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ’œȱ‘Ž›ŽȱŠ—¢ȱŠĴ›’‹ž’˜—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǯȱ ȱ ˜ž•ȱŠ™™ŽŠ›ȱ˜ȱ˜••˜ ȱ‘Šȱ ‘Ž—ŽŸŽ›ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—›’‹žŽȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•Žœȱ›ŽŽ››Žȱ˜ȱ’—ȱ ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ǰȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—›’‹ž’˜—ȱ Šœȱȁ˜ěȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŒ˜›Ȃǯȱ

Herald Sun 13 April 2011 On 13 April 2011 an article by Ms Carly Crawford appeared in the Herald Sun. ‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ Šœȱ’•ŽDZ

COP’S SUICIDE MAY HAVE BEEN AVOIDED OVER EMAIL SCANDAL – CHIEF IGNORED ADVICE

This story concerned the death of a police member who took his own life early in ŘŖŗŖǰȱ꟎ȱŠ¢œȱŠŽ›ȱ‹Ž’—ȱœŽ›ŸŽȱ ’‘ȱŠȱ—˜’ŒŽȱž—Ž›ȱœŽŒ’˜—ȱŜŞȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱPolice Regulation Act 1958ȱ’—Ÿ’’—ȱ‘’–ȱ˜ȱȁœ‘˜ ȱŒŠžœŽȂȱ ‘¢ȱ‘Žȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ‹Žȱ’œ–’œœŽȱ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ Police in connection with the dissemination of certain pornographic and otherwise ˜ěŽ—œ’ŸŽȱŽ–Š’•œǯȱ

54 As the headline suggests, the thrust of the story was that the Chief Commissioner and other senior police may have acted contrary to legal advice in deciding to serve a notice under section 68 of the Police Regulation Act 1958 on the police member. The ŠŸ’ŒŽȱ’œȱœŠ’ȱ˜ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ‹¢ȱ‘Žȱ’Œ˜›’Š—ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ˜•’Œ’˜›ȂœȱĜŒŽȱ and internal police lawyers. Mr Overland disputes that he acted contrary to advice and asserts that he received advice supportive of the action he took.

Mr Weston said in evidence he discussed this story with Ms Crawford, though she ”—Ž ȱ–˜›Žȱ‘Š—ȱ ȱ’ȱ’—ȱ›Ž•Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Šȱ–ŠĴŽ›ǯ He said they spoke about ‘ŽȱœŒžĴ•Ž‹žĴȱ that was going around, namely that the use of a notice under section 68 of the Police Regulation Act 1958 was inappropriate.

Mr Weston said in evidence that he believed the Chief Commissioner had over-reached ’—ȱŽŠ•’—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱŠ—ȱ‘Šȱhe had blood on his hands. He said in evidence he had ’œŒžœœŽȱ‘’œȱ’œœžŽȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœǰȱ™›˜‹Š‹•¢ȱ‘Žȱꛜȱ’–Žȱ‘Ž¢ȱ–Žǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ’ȱ Šœȱ ˜—Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ‘’—œȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ŠœȱŠ—›¢ȱŠ‹˜žǯȱ

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱœž‹œŠ—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ›ŽĚŽŒœȱ ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ˜•ȱœȱ›Š ˜›ǰȱ though he did not provide all the information in the article.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ ŠœȱŠœ”Žȱ ‘ŠȱœŽ™œȱ‘Žȱ˜˜”ȱ™›’˜›ȱ˜ȱ™ž‹•’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ˜ȱŒ˜—ę›–ȱ what he told Ms Crawford, namely that the police had acted against advice from the Victorian Government Solicitor in the use of section 68. Mr Weston said it was a rumour, I didn’t make any – take any steps at all. Mr Weston said he had heard the rumour from a —ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’쎛Ž—ȱœ˜ž›ŒŽœǯȱ

˜ȱŠ›ȱŠœȱ ȱ‘Šœȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŠ‹•Žȱ˜ȱŠœŒŽ›Š’—ǰȱ‘Ž›Žȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱ›ž‘ȱŠȱŠ••ȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱȁ›ž–˜ž›Ȃǯȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱœ™˜”Žȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱ˜ĜŒŽ›ȱ›˜–ȱ‘Žȱ‘’ŒŠ•ȱŠ—Š›œȱŽ™Š›–Ž—ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ Œ‘Š–‹Ž›œȱ˜ȱŠȱ‹Š››’œŽ›ȱǻŠȱ˜›–Ž›ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›Ǽǯȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽ›ȱ‘ŠȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—œȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘Žȱ žœŽȱ˜ȱœŽŒ’˜—ȱŜŞȱ‹žȱœŠ’ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ŠœȱŒ˜—Ě’Œ’—ȱ•ŽŠ•ȱŠŸ’ŒŽǯȱ‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•ŽȱŠ™™ŽŠ›Žȱ‘Žȱ Š¢ȱŠŽ›ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ‹Š››’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǯ

›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ ‘’—”œȱ ‘Žȱ ˜•ȱ œȱ ›Š ˜›ȱ ‘Šȱ ‘Žȱ ˜ěŽ—œ’ŸŽȱ Ž–Š’•œȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ•Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ serving of the section 68 notice weren’t that bad, though Mr Weston had not actually seen the images. According to Mr Overland, who viewed the images, they were ˜ěŽ—œ’ŸŽȱŠ—ǰȱ’—ȱœ˜–Žȱ’—œŠ—ŒŽœǰȱŽ™›ŠŸŽǯ

‘Žȱ —ŸŽœ’Š’—ȱ˜›˜—Ž›ȱ ’••ǰȱ˜›ȱ–Š¢ǰȱŒ˜––Ž—ȱ˜—ȱ‘ŽœŽȱ’œœžŽœȱ˜••˜ ’—ȱŠ—¢ȱ —šžŽœǯȱ —¢ȱŒ˜––Ž—œȱ–ŠŽȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ȱŠ›Žȱœž‹“ŽŒȱŽ—’›Ž•¢ȱ˜ȱŠ—¢ȱꗍ’—œȱ‹¢ȱ‘Žȱ˜›˜—Ž›ǯ

ŒŒ˜›’—ȱ ˜ȱ ›ȱ Žœ˜—ǰȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ Š•œ˜ȱ Š••ŽŽȱ ‘Šȱ Ž™ž¢ȱ ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ Š•œ‘Žȱ›’Žȱ˜ȱ‹ŠŒ”ȬŠŽȱ‘Žȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›Ȃœȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ œ˜ȱ ’Œ˜›’Šȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱ could avoid paying for a police funeral. This allegation, if indeed it was ever made ‹¢ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœǰȱ‘Šœȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ’—ŸŽœ’ŠŽȱ‹¢ȱ ȱŠ—ȱ’œȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›Žȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱ ’‘˜žȱŠ—¢ȱ foundation whatever.

55 Mr Weston said he did not inform Mr Hindmarsh or Minister Ryan that he provided ’—˜›–Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȱ˜›ȱ‘’œȱŠ›’Œ•Žǯȱ‘Ž—ȱ’—˜›–Žȱ‹¢ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ˜ȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ›˜•Žǰȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ’ȱŠœȱtotally inappropriate.

Herald Sun 5 May 2011 —ȱśȱŠ¢ȱŠ—ȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŠ›”ȱžĴ•Ž›ȱŠ—ȱœȱ——Žȱ›’‘ȱŠ™™ŽŠ›Žȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱHerald Sun ž—Ž›ȱ‘Žȱ‘ŽŠ•’—ŽDZȱ

OMBUDSMAN TO INVESTIGATE BIG BONUSES GIVEN TO POLICE PUBLIC SERVANTS

The article asserts that the Ombudsman would be requested to investigate reports that bonuses were paid to police public servants while the force’s payroll system ran $18 million over budget.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ›ȱžĴ•Ž›ȱŠ™™›˜ŠŒ‘Žȱ‘’–ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱœ˜›¢ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ œŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ˜•ȱ›ȱžĴ•Ž›ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ŠœȱŽę—’Ž•¢ȱŠȱ‹žŽȱ‹•˜ ˜žǰȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ˜›ŒŽȱ Šœȱ’—ȱŽ—’Š•ǰȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ Šœȱ–ž•’Ȭ–’••’˜—œȱ˜ŸŽ›ȱ‹žŽȱŠ—ȱ‘ŠȱœŠěȱ‘Šȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ’ŸŽ—ȱ bonuses which I found to be ludicrousǯȱ Žȱ˜•ȱ›ȱžĴ•Ž›ȱ’ȱ Šœȱ˜—Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ˜›œȱŒŠœŽœȱ˜ȱ –’œ–Š—ŠŽ–Ž—ȱ’—ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—ȱŠ—˜‘Ž›ȱŽ¡Š–™•Žȱ˜ȱœŽ›’˜žœȱ–’œ–Š—ŠŽ–Ž—ȱ of a project and a serious cover-up to conceal such mismanagement. He said he ›ŽŒ˜––Ž—Žȱ‘Šȱ›ȱžĴ•Ž›ȱ–Š”ŽȱŽ—šž’›’Žœȱ’—˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ’•’—œȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱœ¢œŽ–ȱŠ—ȱ›¢ȱ˜ȱ ŽœŠ‹•’œ‘ȱ‘Žȱ›žŽȱ‹žŽȱ‹•˜ ˜žȱꐞ›Žǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ’œŒžœœŽȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ ’‘ȱ Mr Davies ‘cos we were both angry about it. He told Mr Davies that he (Mr Weston) was going to the media about it because it infuriated me.

Herald Sun ›ŽŽ˜–ȱ˜ȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱ›ŽšžŽœ ›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ œŠ’ȱ ’—ȱ ŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ ‘Šȱ ‘Žȱ Ž™Š›–Ž—ȱ ˜ȱ žœ’ŒŽȱ ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱ Šȱ ›ŽŽ˜–ȱ ˜ȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱ ›ŽšžŽœȱ ˜—ȱ ‹Ž‘Š•ȱ ˜ȱ ›ȱ ’Š–ȱ ˜ž•’‘Š—ȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ Herald Sun in relation to ‘Žȱ™Š¢–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‹˜—žœŽœȱ˜ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ™Ž›œ˜——Ž•ǯȱ‘ŽȱŽ™Š›–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ žœ’ŒŽȱ ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ ǻŠŒžŠ•ȱ˜›ȱ™›˜™˜œŽȱȮȱ’ȱ’œ—ȂȱŒ•ŽŠ›ȱ ‘’Œ‘Ǽȱ ŠœȱœŽ—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǯȱŒŒ˜›’—ȱ ˜ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ǰȱœžŒ‘ȱ’—˜›–Š’˜—ȱ’œȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ‹¢ȱ Š¢ȱ˜ȱ —˜’ęŒŠ’˜—ȱ˜—•¢ǯȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱŠ—ȱ‘’œȱœŠěȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ —˜ȱ ›˜•Žȱ ’—ȱ ‘Žȱ Œ˜—œ’Ž›Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ›ŽŽ˜–ȱ˜ȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱ›ŽšžŽœœȱ’›ŽŒŽȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱ ˜›ȱ ‘Žȱȱ Department.

›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ œŠ’ȱ ’—ȱ ŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ ‘Žȱ Ž¡Š–’—Žȱ ‘Žȱ ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ Š—ȱ ’ȱ —˜ȱ Œ˜—œ’Ž›ȱ ’ȱ ŠŽšžŠŽǯȱ ŽȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—Žȱ‘Žȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—ȱ–Š—ŠŽ›ȱŠȱ‘ŽȱŽ™Š›–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ žœ’ŒŽȱŠ—ȱŠœ”Žȱ him to go back to the police and obtain the correct information because I don’t want us to be criticised. He said he then rang Mr Houlihan and told him make sure when you get the response it includes both… the executive and non-executive component, adding I don’t want you to come back and criticise us for not being completely upfront with you.

56 ‘Ž—ȱ’—˜›–Žȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱ ˜ž•’‘Š—ǰȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱœŠ’ȱ it amounted to blatant misconduct.

Ž›Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ˜›ȱŠȱ™ŠĴŽ›—ȱ˜ȱŒ˜—žŒȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱŒŠ•Œž•ŠŽȱ˜ȱ ›Š–™ȱž™ȱ™›Žœœž›Žȱ ˜—ȱ˜›–Ž›ȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱŠ—ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŒ˜––Š—ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ assertion that he was simply trying to ensure that accurate information was provided might have been plausible.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŽě˜›œȱ˜ȱŒ˜—ŒŽŠ•ȱ›˜–ȱœŒ›ž’—¢ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ ’‘›Š ’—ȱ‘’œȱ ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱŠ•œ˜ȱ‹Žȱ—˜Žȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—Ž¡ǯ

Herald Sun 6 May 2011 On 6 May 2011, a story by Ms Carly Crawford appeared in the Herald Sun under ‘Žȱ‘ŽŠ•’—ŽDZ

HI-TECH POLICE SYSTEM MAY BE SCRAPPED FORENSIC UPGRADE BLOW

‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•ŽȱŒ˜––Ž—ŒŽœDZ

ȱ–Š“˜›ȱ Ȭœ¢•Žȱ˜ŸŽ›‘Šž•ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȂœȱ˜›Ž—œ’Œȱ’—˜›–Š’˜—ȱœ¢œŽ–ȱ’œȱ in crisis.

—ȱŠȱ•’Ĵ•Žȱž›‘Ž›ȱ˜—ȱœŠŽœDZ

Police Minister Peter Ryan demanded answers last night.

Mr Weston said in evidence he had received information about problems with the PALM Project from a friend of his, a public servant now working for the Australian ŽŽ›Š•ȱ˜•’ŒŽȱǻǼǯȱȁȂȱ’œȱŠ—ȱŠŒ›˜—¢–ȱ˜›ȱ›˜™Ž›¢ȱŠ—ȱŠ‹˜›Š˜›¢ȱŠ—ŠŽ–Ž—ǯ

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ’ȱŠȱ‹’ȱ˜ȱ˜—•’—ŽȱœŽŠ›Œ‘’—ȱ˜ȱŒ˜—ę›–ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ™›˜“ŽŒȱŽ¡’œŽǰȱ then met with Ms Carly Crawford. He said in evidence I met with her, I said ‘I’ve been told that this project’s running massively over budget. He believes he told her they’ll tell you that it’s been – it’s on track but it’s – it’s been cancelled, it’s been shelved. He told her the project manager had quit. He suggested to Ms Crawford you should make enquiries into that, because I certainly won’t be able to get anywhere with it…

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŒ˜—ŒŽŽȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ Šœȱ™›˜‹Š‹•¢ȱ‘Žȱ ‘˜ȱꛜȱ›Š’œŽȱ‘Žȱ’œœžŽȱ ’‘ȱ œȱ Crawford, not the other way around.

Mr Weston said in evidence he had no idea who else Ms Crawford spoke to about the œ˜›¢ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ–’‘ȱ‘’–œŽ•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ–Ž—’˜—Žȱ’ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠ›”ȱžĴ•Ž›ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ Herald Sun in a catch-up. He said I think… I was having a whinge about how incompetent ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœŽŽ–ȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱ’—ȱ›Žœ™ŽŒȱ˜ȱœ™Ž—’—ȱ–˜—Ž¢ȱ˜—ȱŠ—¢‘’—ǯ

57 ›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ œŠ’ȱ ‘Žȱ ’—Ȃȱ Ž••ȱ ’—’œŽ›ȱ ¢Š—ȱ ˜›ȱ ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ’ŸŽ—ȱ information about the PALM Project to Ms Crawford, although he told Mr Hindmarsh that the story was coming out. He said it was a decision that I had made on my – well, on my own.ȱ ŽȱœŠ’DZ

dz‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ ȱ”—Ž ȱ Žȱ ˜ž•—ȂȱŽȱŠȱœ›Š’‘ȱŠ—œ Ž›ȱ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ’ȱ Žȱ went through the normal channels, so I suppose it was in many respects a bit of an act of desperation to try to get things up because I knew we were in a lot worse position than the police force were asserting… so I was quite frustrated with them and I wanted to bring things to a head and push things out into the open…

Mr Weston said in evidence he was hoping the story would appear and would lead to Victoria Police providing answers.

ȱ’œȱŽŸ’Ž—ȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱž—Ž›˜˜”ȱ‘Žȱ–˜œȱ™Ž›ž—Œ˜›¢ȱ›ŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ǰȱ’ȱŠ—¢ǰȱ‹Ž˜›Žȱ œ™ŽŠ”’—ȱ ˜ȱ œȱ ›Š ˜›ǯȱ ›ȱ ’Œ‘ŠŽ•ȱ Š—Ž›‘Ž’Žȱ Šœȱ ‘Žȱ Ž¡ŽŒž’ŸŽȱœ™˜—œ˜›ȱ˜›ȱ ‘Žȱȱ›˜“ŽŒǯȱ›ȱŠ—Ž›‘Ž’Žȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘ŠȱžŠ•ȱ™›˜“ŽŒœȱǻ˜›Ž—œ’Œœȱ Š—ȱŽ¡‘’‹’ȱ–Š—ŠŽ–Ž—Ǽȱ Ž›Žȱ–Ž›ŽȱŠŽ›ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ȱ™›˜“ŽŒœȱŒ‘˜œŽȱ‘ŽȱœŠ–Žȱ‹ŠœŽȱ ȱ œ¢œŽ–ǯȱ‘’œȱ›Š–Š’ŒŠ••¢ȱ’—Œ›ŽŠœŽȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜–™•Ž¡’¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ™›˜“ŽŒǰȱ‹žȱ’ȱ Šœȱ—ŽŸŽ›ȱ Œ˜—œ’Ž›Žȱ˜ȱ‹ŽȱȁœŒ›Š™™ŽȂǯȱ‘Žȱ™›˜“ŽŒȱ Šœȱ’–™ŠŒŽȱ‹¢ȱ‹žŽŠ›¢ȱŒ˜—œ›Š’—œȱ‹žǰȱ ŠŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠ—Ž›‘Ž’Žǰȱ‘Žȱ˜ŸŽ›Š••ȱ™›˜“ŽŒȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ›ž—ȱ’—ȱŽ¡ŒŽœœȱ˜ȱŠ••˜ŒŠŽȱ PALM funding. Budgeted funds to run the system were not spent due to the delay in implementation and were allocated to development costs. Mr Vanderheide believes the project will go live in the near future.

‘Ž—ȱ’—˜›–Žȱ‹¢ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜—›’‹ž’˜—ȱ˜ȱ ‘’œȱ œ˜›¢ǰȱ ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱœŠ’ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜—žŒȱ Šœȱentirely inappropriate and, if known at the time, would have been referred to the Director, Human Resources.

The fact that Mr Weston did not inform Mr Hindmarsh or the Minister that he had spoken to Ms Crawford is itself evidence he knew his actions were improper.

Herald SunȱşȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗ —ȱşȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗȱŠ—ȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ‹¢ȱœȱŠ›•¢ȱ›Š ˜›ǰȱ›ȱ ›Š—ȱŒ›‘ž›ȱŠ—ȱ›ȱ—‘˜—¢ȱ Dowsley appeared in the Herald Sunȱž—Ž›ȱ‘Žȱ‘ŽŠ•’—ŽDZ

CHIEF DEFIANT AS IMPASSE REACHES FLASHPOINT – OVERLAND’S FATE GOES TO CABINET

‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•ŽȱŠœœŽ›œȱ‘Šȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŸŽ›•Š—Ȃœȱžž›Žȱ Šœȱ˜ȱ‹ŽȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›Žȱ that morning in Cabinet. The article discusses what were said to be the circumstances ’—ȱ ‘’Œ‘ǰȱ‘Žȱ™›ŽŸ’˜žœȱ›’Š¢ǰȱ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ’›ŽŒŽȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ˜ȱ take leave. The article contains what purports to be an account from a senior police source

58 ˜ȱŠȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱŠ—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ‘Žȱ™›ŽŸ’˜žœȱ›’Š¢ȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—’—ȱ‘Žȱ ȁ™Š›˜•ŽŽȱ’œœžŽȂǯ

The article quotes what are said to be Government sources who were frustrated and unimpressed by Mr Overland’s handling of Sir Ken’s resignation.

Mr Weston said in evidence that he provided Ms Crawford with the following ’—˜›–Š’˜—ǰȱŠĴ›’‹žŽȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ˜ȱȁŠȱœŽ—’˜›ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱœ˜ž›ŒŽȂǯȱ

He ǽ’›ȱ Ž—Ǿȱsaid police had to apologise to the families and the whole thing was a mess. That afternoon he was gone.

My report to the Ombudsman will discuss where Mr Weston may have obtained information about a conversation between Chief Commissioner Overland and ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœǯ

Mr Weston said he gave Ms Crawford this information because he thought it was disgraceful the way ǽ’›ȱ Ž—Ǿ was treated and he [Mr Weston] wanted the truth to be known.

The parolee issue arose from an allegation that Victoria Police was responsible, or ™Š›•¢ȱ›Žœ™˜—œ’‹•Žǰȱ˜›ȱŠȱŠ’•ž›Žȱ˜ȱ‹›’—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠĴŽ—’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›˜•Žȱ˜Š›ȱ‘ŽȱŠŒȱ ‘ŠȱŒŽ›Š’—ȱ™Š›˜•ŽŽœȱ‘ŠȱŒ˜––’ĴŽȱ˜ěŽ—ŒŽœȱ ‘’•Žȱ˜—ȱ™Š›˜•Žǯȱ ȱ‘Žȱ™Š›˜•Žȱ˜ȱ‘˜œŽȱ parolees had been cancelled, the lives of those murdered, or allegedly murdered, by those parolees while on parole might have been saved.

ȱ‘Šœȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŽœŠ‹•’œ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ™›’˜›ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŽ™Š›ž›Žȱ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ had conducted an internal review of the issue and informed Chief Commissioner ŸŽ›•Š—ȱ’—ȱŠ—ȱŽ–Š’•ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ™›Ž•’–’—Š›¢ȱꗍ’—œǰȱœžŽœ’—ȱ‘ŠȱŠ–’•’Žœȱ˜ȱŸ’Œ’–œȱ Š••ŽŽ•¢ȱ–ž›Ž›Žȱ‹¢ȱ™Š›˜•ŽŽœȱ‹Žȱ—˜’ꮍȱ˜ȱœžŒ‘ȱꗍ’—œǯȱ‘’Žȱ ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ ŸŽ›•Š—ǰȱ’—ȱŠȱ›Ž™•¢ȱŽ–Š’•ǰȱ›ŽšžŽœŽȱ˜›–Š•ȱ ›’ĴŽ—ȱŠŸ’ŒŽȱ™›’˜›ȱ˜ȱ—˜’¢’—ȱŠ–’•’Žœǰȱ cautioning that if Victoria Police had let the families down ǽ‘Žȱ’—ȂǾȱwant to exacerbate ‘Žȱœ’žŠ’˜—ȱ‹¢ȱ‘Š—•’—ȱ—˜’ęŒŠ’˜—ȱ‹Š•¢ǯ

ȱœž‹œŽšžŽ—ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ’—˜ȱ‘Žȱ’œœžŽȱ˜••˜ ’—ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȂœȱŽ™Š›ž›Žȱ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱŽœŠ‹•’œ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ’—ȱŽŠŒ‘ȱŒŠœŽȱ‘Žȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ‘’—ȱ•žŽȱ ’—Žȱ ǻĴŽ—Š—ŒŽȱ Š—ȱžœ˜¢Ǽȱœ¢œŽ–ǰȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ’œȱ•’—”Žȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽ™Š›–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ žœ’ŒŽǰȱ‘ŠȱŠž˜–Š’ŒŠ••¢ȱ Ž—Ž›ŠŽȱŠȱ—˜’ęŒŠ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ˜››ŽŒ’˜—œȱ’Œ˜›’ŠȱŠŸ’œ’—ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ™Š›˜•ŽŽȱ‘ŠȱŒ˜–Žȱ˜ȱ ‘ŽȱŠĴŽ—’˜—ȱ˜ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ’—ȱ›Ž•Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱž—›Ž•ŠŽȱ˜ěŽ—ŒŽœǯȱ˜œȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱŠ›Žȱž—Š Š›Žȱ that the system provides information about parole status.

Mr Hastings, the Commissioner of Corrections Victoria, has publicly acknowledged Corrections Victoria failed to notify the Parole Board after receiving some electronic —˜’ęŒŠ’˜—œȱ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǯȱ›ȱ Šœ’—œȱŠŸ’œŽœȱŠȱ›ŽŸ’Ž ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–Š—ŠŽ–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ parolees is now underway.

śş ‘Žȱ —ŸŽœ’Š’—ȱ˜›˜—Ž›ȱ ’••ǰȱ˜›ȱ–Š¢ǰȱŒ˜––Ž—ȱ˜—ȱ‘ŽœŽȱ’œœžŽœȱ˜••˜ ’—ȱŠ—¢ȱ —šžŽœǯȱ —¢ȱŒ˜––Ž—œȱ–ŠŽȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ȱŠ›Žȱœž‹“ŽŒȱŽ—’›Ž•¢ȱ˜ȱŠ—¢ȱꗍ’—œȱ‹¢ȱ‘Žȱ˜›˜—Ž›ǯ

Mr Hindmarsh said it was inappropriate for Mr Weston to provide such information to the media and that his conduct, if then known, would have been referred to the Director, Human Resources.

Herald Sun 18 May 2011 On 18 May 2011, an article by Ms Carly Crawford appeared in the Herald Sun. ‘Žȱ‘ŽŠ•’—Žȱ ŠœDZ

OVERLAND FACES FIGHT FOR MORE CONTROL TO POLICE THE POLICE – TOP COP’S POWER GRAB

Following the election of the current Government, Victoria Police presented a Œ˜—ꍮ—’Š•ȱ ‹›’Žę—ȱ ˜Œž–Ž—ȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›ȱ ’—Ÿ’’—ȱ Œ˜—œ’Ž›Š’˜—ȱ ˜ȱ Šȱ ›Š—Žȱ ˜ȱ issues, including the proposed changes to the Victoria Police discipline system contained in the Police Regulation Amendment Bill defeated in the Legislative Council under the previous Government. The proposed changes had been opposed by the Police Association.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ꍮ—’Š•ȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ˜Œž–Ž—ȱ Šœȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ ‘Ž—ȱ he commenced his employment as an Adviser. Mr Weston said the Minister had already considered the document and was opposed to what was being put forward. Mr Weston said, nonetheless, that the proposals contained in the document had become an issue in the enterprise bargaining process and he believes he discussed them with Mr Davies.

Mr Weston said in evidence he believed the Victoria Police proposal had gone too far and would remove any oversight of the Chief Commissionerǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ›Š’œŽȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ with Ms Crawford and told her the Chief Commissioner was making waves about doing it again and that we weren’t gonna allow it to happen, you know, it wasn’t appropriate. He believes ‘Žȱœ‘˜ Žȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ꍮ—’Š•ȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ˜Œž–Ž—ȱŠ—ȱœ‘Žȱ–ŠŽȱœ˜–Žȱ—˜Žœȱ from it. He said it is possible he even gave Ms Crawford a copy of the document.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ǰȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŠœ˜—ȱ‘Žȱœ‘˜ Žȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ꍮ—’Š•ȱ ‹›’Žę—ȱ˜Œž–Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ’œŒžœœŽȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Ž›ȱ Šœȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ Œ˜—ŒŽ›—Žȱ Mr Overland was trying to drive a wedge between the Association and… the Government. ŽȱœŠ’DZ

ȱ Š—Žȱ˜ȱ–Š”Žȱœž›Žȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ›Š—”ȱŠ—ȱꕎȱ–Ž–‹Ž›œȱ”—Ž ȱ‘Šȱ Žȱ Ž›Ž—Ȃȱ˜’—ȱ to be acceding to such demands.

›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ–˜›Žȱ™›˜‹Š‹•Žȱ–˜’ŸŠ’˜—ȱ Šœȱ˜ȱŽ—œž›Žȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱœŽ—œŽȱ˜ȱŒ˜—Ě’ŒȱŠ—ȱ crisis involving the Chief Commissioner was maintained.

60 ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ˜•ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ‘Žȱ–Ž’Šȱ Šœȱ˜’—ȱ˜ȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ˜—ȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›ǯȱ He said he may have told Mr Hindmarsh he intended to talk to a journalist about it, ‹žȱ‘Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱŽ••ȱ‘’–ȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ˜’—ȱ˜ȱœ‘˜ ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ꍮ—’Š•ȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ˜Œž–Ž—ȱ˜ȱœȱ Crawford or provide information to her. He agreed Mr Hindmarsh may simply have thought Mr Weston was responding to a media query. He did not tell Mr Hindmarsh ˜›ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ‘Žȱ‘ŠȱŠ••˜ Žȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȱ˜ȱ›ŽŠȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ꍮ—’Š•ȱ ‹›’Žę—ȱ ˜Œž–Ž—ǯȱ‘Ž—ȱŠœ”Žȱ ‘¢ȱ‘Žȱ’—ȂȱŽ••ȱ‘Ž–ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’DZȱ

I just didn’t… I just wanted to manage it myself… it was something that I took upon myself to do… I didn’t wanna embroil the Minister in things that – decisions that I had made.

›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱŒ˜—ę›–Žȱ˜ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ˜Œž–Ž—ȱ Šœȱ Œ˜—ꍮ—’Š•ȱŠ—ȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱŠž‘˜›’œŽȱ˜ȱœ‘˜ ȱ’ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–Ž’ŠȱŠ—ȱ should not have done so.

’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŠŒ’˜—œȱ’—ȱœ‘˜ ’—ȱ‘Žȱ˜Œž–Ž—ȱ˜ȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȱ and allowing her to make notes from it as a dreadful breach of trust and a dreadful breach ˜ȱŒ˜—ꍮ—’Š•’¢, adding that it constituted grounds for dismissal.

The Age 17 and 18 May 2011 On 17 May an article by Mr Dylan Welch appeared in The Ageȱž—Ž›ȱ‘Žȱ‘ŽŠ•’—ŽDZ

ANTI-TERROR SQUAD TO BE AXED – VICTORIA POLICE REVAMP SPARKS ANGER

—ȱŗŞȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗȱŠȱ˜••˜ Ȭž™ȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽ•Œ‘ȱŠ™™ŽŠ›Žȱ’•ŽDZ

OVERLAND REJECTS WARNINGS ON ANTI-TERROR SQUAD – INTELLIGENCE UNIT CLOSURE TO PROCEED

‘ŽȱꛜȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ‹Ž’—œDZ

One of Australia’s most successful counter-terrorism units is being quietly ’œ‹Š—Žȱ‹¢ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ‘’Žȱ’–˜—ȱŸŽ›•Š—ǰȱŽœ™’ŽȱŠȱ›Ž™˜›ȱꗍ’—ȱ‘Šȱ ˜’—ȱœ˜ȱ ˜ž•ȱ•ŽŠŸŽȱȁ’—Ž••’Ž—ŒŽȱŠ™œȂȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱꐑȱŠŠ’—œȱŽ››˜›’œ–ǯ

The Age has learnt that the Security Intelligence Group (SIG) will cease to exist from July 1, and that its role will be taken over by a more general unit, the Public Order Intelligence Group.

The articles contained considerable information that could have come only from an internal police source, or sources. The tone of the articles is critical.

Mr Weston said in evidence he telephoned Dylan Welch because the media unit told him Mr Welch had rung. They agreed to meet for lunch. According to Mr Weston,

61 Mr Welch said the issue of interest to him was the disbanding of the Security —Ž••’Ž—ŒŽȱ ›˜ž™ȱǻ Ǽǯȱ›ȱŽ•Œ‘ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ”—Ž ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ‘Šȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŠȱ›ŽŸ’Ž ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ȱ which recommended that it be retained. He understood there was opposition from within the police force, that the decision was considered to be poorly thoughtout and ‘Šȱ–˜›Š•ŽȱŠȱ‘Žȱ ȱ ŠœȱŸŽ›¢ȱ•˜ ǯ

ȱ’œȱŠ™™Š›Ž—ȱ›˜–ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱšž’ŽȱŠȱŽŠ’•Žȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—ȱ ’‘ȱ Mr Welch and made it clear that he, Mr Weston, was opposed to the disbandment ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ǯȱ ȱ’œȱŠ™™Š›Ž—ȱ›˜–ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ Œ˜—œ’Ž›Š‹•Žȱ information and comment to Mr Welch critical of the Victoria Police decision. He said I was very critical of the decision to disband the SIG. He agreed that he either told Mr Welch, or agreed with Mr Welch, that Assistant Commissioner Pope had no real ž—Ž›œŠ—’—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ—Šž›Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›˜•Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ǯ

Mr Weston said he gave, or showed, Mr Welch part of a Victoria Police report prepared ‹¢ȱ‘Žȱ —Ž••’Ž—ŒŽȱŠ—ȱ˜ŸŽ›ȱž™™˜›ȱŽ™Š›–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ ‘Žȱ›Ž™˜›ȱŠ››’ŸŽȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ–Š’•ǰȱŠ—˜—¢–˜žœ•¢ȱŠ—ȱ ’‘˜žȱŠȱŒ˜ŸŽ›’—ȱ•ŽĴŽ›ǰȱŠ›ŽœœŽȱ ˜ȱ‘’–ȱŠ—ȱ–Š›”Žȱȁ™›’ŸŠŽȱŠ—ȱŒ˜—ꍮ—’Š•Ȃǯȱ

ž›’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ Šœȱœ‘˜ —ȱŠȱŒ˜™¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱž••ȱ›Ž™˜›ǰȱ˜‹Š’—Žȱ‹¢ȱ ǯȱ Žȱ said the document he received in the mail was not as long and may have been part of a draft. Mr Weston said in evidence he assumed it had come from Victoria Police and that it was an internal police document. He said the bit that I discussed with him was the executive summary, not the rest of the report.

Mr Weston agreed that much of what was in the article published on 18 May is Œ˜—œ’œŽ—ȱ ’‘ȱ ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ˜•ȱ›ȱŽ•Œ‘ǰȱ˜›ȱŒ˜—ę›–Žȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽ•Œ‘ǯȱ

ȱŽŽŒ’ŸŽȱŽ›ŽŠ—ȱŠȱ‘Žȱ ȱŠȱ‘Žȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—ȱ’–Žȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ ‘Šȱ ‘Žȱ Š¢ȱ™›’˜›ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱꛜȱŠ›’Œ•Žǰȱ‘ŽȱŽŽŒ’ŸŽȱŽ›ŽŠ—ȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱŠȱ Ž•Ž™‘˜—Žȱ ŒŠ••ȱ ›˜–ȱ Mr Weston who asked him to tell the boys to keep their heads down… tell ‘em not to even walk past The Age building.

Obviously, Mr Weston did not wish his former colleagues to be implicated in the ȁ•ŽŠ”’—Ȃȱ˜ȱ’—˜›–Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽ•Œ‘ǯȱ

Mr Weston said he did not inform Mr Hindmarsh or Minister Ryan that he had given this information to Mr Welch. He said I didn’t want [Minister Ryan] to have to deal with issues that were of my doing.

›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Šȱ ‘Ž—ȱ‘Žȱ’œœžŽȱŠ›˜œŽǰȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱŠȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—ǰȱŠŽ›ȱŒ˜—œž•Š’˜—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž–’Ž›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǰȱ ‘Ž›Žȱ ŠœȱŠ—ȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•ȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ˜ȱ–Ž’ŠȱŽ—šž’›’Žœǯȱ•ŽŠ›•¢ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—œȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱŽ•Œ‘ȱ Ž›Žȱ—˜ȱ™Š›ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•ȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽǯȱ —ŽŽǰȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›œȱ ‘Šȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŠŒ’˜—œȱ’—ȱœ‘˜ ’—ȱ›ȱŽ•Œ‘ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜™¢ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱŒ˜—œ’žŽȱ gross misconduct.

62 ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Šȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ ŠœȱŠœ”Žȱ ˜ȱ ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ Šȱ ‹›’Žę—ȱ˜—ȱ‘Žȱ’œœžŽǰȱ‹žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ–Š’—Š’—ŽȱŠȱœ›’Œ division between ˜™Ž›Š’˜—Š•ȱ’œœžŽœȱŠ—ȱ›Žœ˜ž›Œ’—ȱ’œœžŽœȱŠ—ȱ‘Šȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ˜™Ž›Š’˜—œȱŠ›ŽȱŠȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ police, not for the Minister. Minister Ryan said the contents of the report should not have been shown to Mr Welch.

The Weekend Australian 21 May 2011 On 21 May 2011 an article by Mr Stuart Rintoul appeared in The Weekend Australian ž—Ž›ȱ‘Žȱ‘ŽŠ•’—ŽDZ

TURMOIL AS OVERLAND’S DATA GURU PACKS BAGS

‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ‹ŽŠ—DZ

–‹ŠĴ•Žȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ’–˜—ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ’œȱŠŒ’—ȱž›‘Ž›ȱž›–˜’•ȱ after the sudden resignation of a key executive responsible for the introduction of a new criminal database, just weeks after he conceded there would be a $100 million blowout in the cost of the system.

‘Žȱ ȁ”Ž¢ȱ Ž¡ŽŒž’ŸŽȂȱ Šœȱ ›ȱ ’Œ‘ŠŽ•ȱ Š—Ž›‘Ž’Žǰȱ ‘˜ȱ ‘Šȱ ŠŒŒŽ™Žȱ Šȱ ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ ’—ȱ Š—˜‘Ž›ȱ˜›Š—’œŠ’˜—ǯȱ ȱŒŠ—ȱŒ˜—ę›–ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ’œȱ—˜ȱ›ŽŠœ˜—ȱ˜‘Ž›ȱ‘Š—ȱŒŠ›ŽŽ›ȱ™›˜›Žœœ’˜—ȱ ˜›ȱ›ȱŠ—Ž›‘Ž’ŽȂœȱŽŒ’œ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ›Žœ’—ȱ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǯȱ›ȱ’—˜ž•ȂœȱŠ›’Œ•ŽȱœžŽœœȱ —˜ȱœžŒ‘ȱ›ŽŠœ˜—ǯȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Žȱ‘ŠȱŠ—ȱŽ¡ŒŽ••Ž—ȱ›Ž•Š’˜—œ‘’™ȱ with Mr Vanderheide and that Mr Vanderheide was very happy at Victoria Police. This ‘Šœȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŒ˜—ę›–Žȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŠ—Ž›‘Ž’Žǯȱ›ȱŠ—Ž›‘Ž’Žȱ Šœȱ‘ŽŠȬ‘ž—Žȱ˜ȱŠȱ–˜›Žȱ senior Government role and discussed his options with Mr Overland before making his decision to resign.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‹ŽŒŠ–ŽȱŠ Š›Žȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠ—Ž›‘Ž’ŽȂœȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱŠœȱŠȱ›Žœž•ȱ˜ȱŠȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—Žȱ ŒŠ••ȱ›˜–ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱ˜—ȱ‘Žȱ–˜›—’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠ—Ž›‘Ž’ŽȂœȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ Well, that’s very interesting… did he jump or was he pushed? ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ’—Ȃȱ‹˜‘Ž›ȱ˜ȱ Ž—šž’›Žǰȱ™›ŽŽ››’—ȱ’—œŽŠȱ˜ȱœŽ’£Žȱ˜—ȱ’ȱŠœȱŠ—ȱ˜™™˜›ž—’¢ȱ˜ȱ™žȱž›‘Ž›ȱ™›Žœœž›Žȱ˜—ȱ the Chief Commissioner. To this end, the following SMS messages passed between ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱ‘ŠȱŠŽ›—˜˜—DZȱ

›ȱŠŸ’ŽœDZȱ has it gone to press? ›ȱŽœ˜—DZȱ no ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœDZȱ do you want it to? ›ȱŽœ˜—DZȱ why not? ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœDZȱ done ›ȱŽœ˜—DZȱ love your work.

63 —ȱ˜‘Ž›ȱ ˜›œǰȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱ Šœȱ˜ěŽ›’—ȱ˜ȱŽ—œž›Žȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱŠ—Ž›‘Ž’Žȱ›Žœ’—Š’˜—ȱ went to press, if that is what Mr Weston wanted, which he did, for entirely the wrong ›ŽŠœ˜—œǯȱ‘Žȱ˜—Žȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ‘Žȱ—Ž¡ȱ–˜›—’—ȱœŽ›ŸŽȱ˜ȱž›‘Ž›ȱ Ž¡ŠŒŽ›‹ŠŽȱ ‘Žȱ sense of crisis and pressure surrounding Victoria Police and the Chief Commissioner.

Whether Mr Davies passed the story to The Weekend Australian is unclear, and not ˜ȱ‘Žȱ™˜’—DZȱ™•Š’—•¢ȱ‘Žȱ˜ěŽ›Žȱ˜ȱ˜ȱœ˜ǯȱ‘Ž—ȱ’—˜›–Žȱ‹¢ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ ˜ȱ ‘ŽȱȱŽ¡Œ‘Š—Žǰȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱœŠ’ȱcolluding to put a negative story in the paper is not appropriate.

’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŠ›Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜—žŒȱŠœȱcompletely inappropriate action.

Herald Sun 24 May 2011 On 24 May 2011 an article by Ms Carly Crawford appeared in the Herald Sun. The title ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ ŠœDZ

HOLSTER SNAG IN FIREARM ROLL-OUT

‘’œȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ‹ŽŠ—DZȱ

’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ‘Šœȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ˜›ŒŽȱ˜ȱ›Ž™•ŠŒŽȱ—Ž ȱŒžœ˜–Ȭ–ŠŽȱꛎŠ›–œȱ‘˜•œŽ›œȱŠŽ›ȱ ꎕȱ›’Š•œȱŽ¡™˜œŽȱŠȱŠ—Ž›˜žœȱŽœ’—ȱ̊ ǯȱ

The article reports the possibility of a multi-million dollar cost blow-outǯȱ ȱœŠ¢œDZȱ

dz™˜•’ŒŽȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ›Ž™˜›Ž•¢ȱŠ•œ˜ȱ‘Šȱ˜ȱœŒ›Š™ȱŚǰśŖŖȱŒžœ˜–ȱ‹Š••’œ’ŒȱŸŽœœȱŠŽ›ȱ˜ĜŒŽ›œȱ found they failed to meet safety standards.

Mr Weston said in evidence he discussed this issue with Mr Davies. He believed Mr Davies had already gone to the media with it. Mr Weston decided he would tell Ms Crawford about it because I wanted it to be told. He said it was Šȱ‹’ȱ˜ȱŠȱ›ŠŽȬ˜ěȱ because Ms Crawford was quite stroppy about losing a story (discussed under Concerns about the Ombudsman’s crime statistics report later in this report) concerning a possible previous connection between Chief Commissioner Overland and Victorian Deputy –‹žœ–Š—ȱ›ȱ ˜‘—ȱŠ¢•˜›ǯȱ

Mr Weston said Ms Crawford was already aware of the story but certainly I told her certain things.ȱ Žȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽœȱ‘Žȱ˜•ȱ‘Ž›ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ŠœȱŠȱŽœ’—ȱ̊ ȱŠ—ȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ ˜ž•ȱ ‹Žȱ costly to replace the holsters. He also told her about a need to modify the holsters to ŠŒŒ˜––˜ŠŽȱŠȱŠŒ’ŒŠ•ȱ ŽŠ™˜—Ȃœȱ•’‘ȱęĴŽȱ˜ȱœŽ–’ȬŠž˜–Š’Œȱ™’œ˜•œǯȱ ‘’œȱ ’œȱ Š•œ˜ȱ referred to in the article.

œȱ›Š ˜›ǰȱ’—ȱ‘Ž›ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǰȱŒ˜—ę›–Žȱ‘Šȱœ‘Žȱ‘ŠȱŠȱ—ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱœ˜ž›ŒŽœȱ˜›ȱ‘’œȱ story, but did not reveal them.

64 Mr Weston said he told Mr Hindmarsh there was going to be a media story about the holsters but did not tell him that he had been speaking to Ms Crawford and that he was contributing to the story.

Mr Weston said Mr Hindmarsh would have been left with the impression, in this and other cases, that the journalist had come to Mr Weston with the story, not that Mr Weston had contributed to the story or encouraged the journalist to write it. He said a lot of the time that’s what – what I did…

Mr Weston said in evidence he wanted to make sure the holsters were replaced because ‘Ž¢ȱ Ž›ŽȱŠȱŠ—Ž›ȱ˜ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›œǯȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŒ˜—ę›–œȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱŽŒ’œ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ replace the holsters had already been made and the costs associated with replacing ‘Ž–ȱ Ž›Žȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž’˜—ȱ˜ȱǞŗśŖǰŖŖŖǰȱ—˜ȱ‘ŽȱȁmillionsȂȱ›ŽŽ››Žȱ˜ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱœ˜›¢ǯȱ —ȱŠ—¢ȱ ŽŸŽ—ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ™›˜™Ž›ȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ Šœȱ˜ȱ›Š’œŽȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—œȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ˜›ȱ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›ǯȱ —œŽŠǰȱ‘Žȱ˜˜”ȱ‘Ž–ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–Ž’Šǯȱ ȱ’œȱ‘’‘•¢ȱ•’”Ž•¢ȱ‘Žȱ’ȱœ˜ȱ˜ȱ›Š–™ȱž™ȱŠȱ sense of crisis surrounding Chief Commissioner Overland and his management team.

‘Ž—ȱ’—˜›–Žȱ‹¢ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜—›’‹ž’˜—ȱ˜ȱ ‘’œȱ œ˜›¢ǰȱ ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜—žŒȱŠœȱ’—Š™™›˜™›’ŠŽǯȱ

Herald Sun şȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗ —ȱşȱ ž—ŽȱŠ—ȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ‹¢ȱœȱŠ›•¢ȱ›Š ˜›ȱŠ™™ŽŠ›Žȱ’—ȱ‘Ž Herald Sun under the ‘ŽŠ•’—ŽDZ

FLAK FOR TOP COP PROCESS

‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•Žȱ‹ŽŠ—DZ

‘Žȱ ŠŒ”ȱžœ‘ȱ’—šž’›¢ȱ’—˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŒ˜––Š—ȱ ’••ȱ‹ŽȱŠœ”Žȱ˜ȱ›ŽŸ’Ž ȱ‘Žȱ process by which Simon Overland was appointed Chief Commissioner.

Mr Weston said in evidence there was a rumour going around that Mr Overland was not the applicant preferred by the selection panel. Mr Weston said he discussed this issue with Ms Crawford. He told her the names of the members of the selection panel, although one name he gave her was incorrect.

Mr Weston said in evidence that at one point Ms Crawford gave him the telephone number of one of the panel members and wanted Mr Weston to ring him, but Mr Weston said he did not ring him. Mr Weston said in evidence he kept fobbing Ms ›Š ˜›ȱ˜ěȱŠ—ȱ’ȱ—˜ȱŠœ”ȱ‘Ž›ȱ˜ȱ ›’Žȱ‘Žȱœ˜›¢ǯ

A relevant telephone conversation between Ms Crawford and Mr Weston was intercepted. Ms Crawford informed Mr Weston that she had been speaking to the member of the selection panel whose telephone number she had given to Mr Weston. ‘ŽȱœŠ’DZȱ

65 I got the full rundown but his memory is just vague on a couple of critical points which is why I still need [another member of the selection panel]…

Ms Crawford was referring to a former New South Wales Police Commissioner who had been a member of the selection panel. She asked Mr Weston ‘˜ ȱŒ•˜œŽȱŠ›Žȱ¢˜žȱ˜ȱŽĴ’—ȱ˜ȱ him? Mr Weston said I can expedite it. Ms Crawford said if you can that would be gold.

—ȱ‘Žȱ’—Ž›ŒŽ™ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ǰȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȱ‘Ž—ȱœŠ’ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱdon’t be shy about approaching the other guy ‘cos he will – he will talk. This was a reference to one of the other –Ž–‹Ž›œȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱœŽ•ŽŒ’˜—ȱ™Š—Ž•ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠœ”Žȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȱ˜ȱŽ¡ȱ‘ŽȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—Žȱ number.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Žȱ Šœ—Ȃȱ™Š›’Œž•Š›•¢ȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—ŽȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘’œȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ ‘Žȱ‘Šȱœ™˜”Ž—ȱ˜ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ ‘˜ȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—ŽǯȱŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ˜•ȱ‘’–ȱ’ȱ Šœȱ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—Ȃœȱ™›Ž›˜Š’ŸŽȱ˜ȱŠ™™˜’—ȱ ‘˜–ȱ‘Ž¢ȱ ’œ‘Žǯȱ Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ ŠœȱœžĜŒ’Ž—•¢ȱ’—Ž›ŽœŽȱ˜ȱŠœ”ȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȱ˜ȱŽ¡ȱ ‘Žȱ ™Š—Ž•ȱ –Ž–‹Ž›ȂœȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—Žȱ—ž–‹Ž›ǯȱ ŽȱŠ•œ˜ȱ’œŒžœœŽȱ‘Žȱ’œœžŽȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœǯ

Mr Weston said the last conversation he had with Ms Crawford about the story would have been several weeks before it appeared. He said he did not contribute to the story.

˜—ŒŽ›—œȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—ȂœȱŒ›’–ŽȱœŠ’œ’Œœȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ ›ȱ ˜‘—ȱŠ¢•˜›ȱ’œȱ’Œ˜›’ŠȂœȱŽ™ž¢ȱ–‹žœ–Š—ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ ›ȱ Š¢•˜›ȱ was managing an Ombudsman investigation into the release of Victoria Police crime statistics in the lead-up to the 2010 State election. Prior to joining the Victorian –‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǰȱ›ȱŠ¢•˜›ȱ ŠœȱŽ–™•˜¢Žȱ‹¢ȱ‘Žȱ˜––˜— ŽŠ•‘ȱ–‹žœ–Š—ǯȱ Mr Weston suspected a connection between Mr Taylor and Mr Overland from when Mr Taylor worked with the Commonwealth Ombudsman. Mr Weston was concerned ‘Šǰȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŒ˜——ŽŒ’˜—ǰȱ‘ŽȱŒ›’–ŽȱœŠ’œ’Œœȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ–’‘ȱ—˜ȱ‹ŽȱœžĜŒ’Ž—•¢ȱ critical of Mr Overland. Mr Weston therefore targeted Mr Taylor and Mr Overland for media criticism.

Background ˜›ȱ‘Žȱ™ž›™˜œŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ǰȱ‘ŽȱŽŸŽ—œȱ‘ŠȱŠŸŽȱ›’œŽȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—ȱŒŠ—ȱ‹Žȱ œž––Š›’œŽȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ˜••˜ ’—ȱ Š¢ǯȱ —ȱŗşşŝȱŠȱ™Ž›œ˜—ȱ ‘˜ȱ ’••ȱ‹Žȱ’Ž—’ꮍȱŠœȱ ȱ–ŠŽȱ a complaint to the Commonwealth Ombudsman about the conduct of an Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation. The Ombudsman, after considering an internal report from the AFP, concluded that no action on the complaint was warranted. ȱ•ŽĴŽ›ȱ Šœȱ ›’ĴŽ—ȱ˜ȱ ȱŽ¡™•Š’—’—ȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŠœ˜—œȱ˜›ȱ‘ŽȱŽŒ’œ’˜—ǯȱ ‘Žȱ •ŽĴŽ›ȱ Šœȱ signed by Mr Taylor.

ȱ Šœȱ ’œœŠ’œęŽȱ ’‘ȱ ‘Žȱ ›ŽŠœ˜—œȱ ’ŸŽ—ȱ Š—ȱ ™Ž›œ’œŽȱ ’‘ȱ ‘’œȱ Œ˜–™•Š’—ǯȱ •’–ŠŽ•¢ǰȱ‘Žȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ Šœȱ›ŽȬ˜™Ž—ŽȱŠ—ȱꗍ’—œȱ–˜›ŽȱŠŸ˜ž›Š‹•Žȱ˜ȱ ȱ Ž›Žȱ

66 ›ŽŒ˜›Žǯȱ ȱ›Ž–Š’—Žȱ’œœŠ’œęŽǯȱ ’œȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—œȱ Ž›ŽȱŸŽ—’•ŠŽȱ‹¢ȱŠȱŽ–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ Parliament in a speech in the House of Representatives in 2002.

œȱ ’••ȱœ‘˜›•¢ȱ‹ŽŒ˜–ŽȱŒ•ŽŠ›ǰȱ ȱ–ŠŽȱœ™ŽŒ’ęŒȱŠ••ŽŠ’˜—œȱŠŠ’—œȱ‹˜‘ȱ›ȱŠ¢•˜›ȱ and Mr Overland.

Mr Weston receives ‘an enormous heads up’ —ȱŗŜȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—Žȱ›ȱŽ—‘Š–ǰȱŽ—’˜›ȱŸ’œŽ›ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱĴ˜›—Ž¢ȱ General, Mr Robert Clark.

The telephone conversation between Mr Denham and Mr Weston was intercepted. Mr Weston said he had received an enormous heads up from Mr Davies about allegations made by GW against Mr Overland and Mr Taylor.

›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱœž™™•’Žȱ ȱ ’‘ȱŠȱŒ˜™¢ȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱŽ–Š’•ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱ˜—ȱŗŗȱŠ¢ȱŘŖŗŗȱ›˜–ȱ ȱŠĴŠŒ‘’—ȱŠȱ Š—œŠ›ȱŒ˜™¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱœ™ŽŽŒ‘ȱ–ŠŽȱ’—ȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŠ›•’Š–Ž—ǰȱ ˜Ž‘Ž›ȱ with some accusatory comments, presumably from GW, concerning Mr Overland.

Mr Davies said in evidence that he mentioned the email to Mr Weston, who asked for a copy. Mr Davies forwarded the email to Mr Weston. According to Mr Davies, Mr Weston later told him that he had briefed a journalist to run a story based on that email. The journalist was Ms Crawford of the Herald Sun.

The email from GW apparently contained a telephone number (blacked out on the Œ˜™¢ȱœž™™•’Žȱ˜ȱ Ǽǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ›Š—ȱ‘Žȱ—ž–‹Ž›ȱŠ—ȱœ™˜”Žȱ˜ȱ ǯȱ ž‹œŽšžŽ—•¢ǰȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŽ—ȱŠȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ—˜Žȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽ—‘Š–ȱ›ŽŒ˜›’—ȱ ȂœȱŠ••ŽŠ’˜—œǯȱ ‘Žȱ allegation against Mr Taylor was that he had undertaken a reluctant and inadequate ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ’—˜ȱ ȂœȱŒ˜–™•Š’—ȱŠŠ’—œȱ‘Žȱǯȱ‘ŽȱŠ••ŽŠ’˜—ȱŠŠ’—œȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ Šœȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘ŠȱŠĴŽ–™Žȱ˜ȱ’ŒŠŽȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›ȱ‘˜ ȱ™Š›ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ should be conducted.

Subsequently, Mr Weston received a telephone call from a former New South Wales ™˜•’ŒŽ–Š—ǰȱ—˜ ȱŠ—ȱŠŒŠŽ–’Œȱǻ‘ŽȱŠŒŠŽ–’ŒǼǯȱ‘ŽȱŠŒŠŽ–’Œȱ ŠœȱŠ Š›Žȱ˜ȱ ȂœȱŽ–Š’•ǯȱ —ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ‘ŽȱŠŒŠŽ–’ŒȱŠœȱŠȱ–Š—ȱ ‘˜ȱ‘Šȱan axe to grind and who was making all sorts of outlandish allegations, particularly in relation to the AFP.

‘ŽȱŠŒŠŽ–’Œȱ˜›ȱ ȱǻ’ȱ’œ—ȂȱŒ•ŽŠ›ȱ ‘’Œ‘Ǽȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ ’‘ȱ ˜Œž–Ž—œȱ ˜‹Š’—Žȱž—Ž›ȱ›ŽŽ˜–ȱ˜ȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ǯȱ‘ŽœŽȱ’—Œ•žŽȱŠȱꕎȱ—˜ŽȱœŠ’ȱ˜ȱœž™™˜›ȱ ‘ŽȱŠ••ŽŠ’˜—ȱŠŠ’—œȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ǯȱ‘Žȱꕎȱ—˜Žȱ’œȱŽšž’Ÿ˜ŒŠ•ȱŠœȱ ˜ȱ ›ȱ ŸŽ›•Š—Ȃœȱ involvement in the alleged conduct. The academic, or GW, also gave Mr Weston some telephone numbers and Mr Weston said in evidence he made further enquiries which apparently elicited nothing of value.

67 ȱ’œȱ—Ž’‘Ž›ȱŽŠœ’‹•Žȱ—˜›ȱ—ŽŒŽœœŠ›¢ȱ˜›ȱ–Žȱ˜ȱ’œŒžœœȱŠ—ȱŒ˜––Ž—ȱ˜—ȱ‘ŽȱŠ••ŽŠ’˜—œȱ ŠŠ’—œȱ›ȱŠ¢•˜›ȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ǯȱ ȱ’œȱŠŒŒŽ™Žȱ˜›ȱ‘Žȱ™ž›™˜œŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ‘Šȱ Mr Weston genuinely suspected that the allegations were true.

Mr Weston said in evidence I did have genuine concerns about this supposed relationship between Mr Taylor and Mr Overland.ȱ ȱ ’œ—Ȃȱ Œ•ŽŠ›ȱ ‘¢ȱ ‘Žȱ ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ ‘Ž›Žȱ Šœȱ Šȱ ȁ›Ž•Š’˜—œ‘’™Ȃǰȱ‘˜ž‘ȱ ‘Žȱ –Š¢ȱ ‘ŠŸŽȱ ‹ŽŽ—ȱ ›ŽŽ››’—ȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ’—Ÿ˜•ŸŽ–Ž—ȱ ŽŠŒ‘ȱ ˜ȱ ‘Ž–ȱ Š••ŽŽ•¢ȱ‘Šȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ˜––˜— ŽŠ•‘ȱ–‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ǯȱ

Mr Weston said he was concerned about the outcome of an investigation by the Victorian Ombudsman arising from the release of Victoria Police statistics prior to the ŘŖŗŖȱ’Œ˜›’Š—ȱŽ•ŽŒ’˜—ǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—ȱ Šœȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ŠœDZ

dzœ˜–Žȱ‘’‘Ž›˜dzȱž—”—˜ —ȱŒ˜——ŽŒ’˜—ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱŠ—ȱ Mr Overland, then perhaps Sir Ken was being – um was going to be a, you know, lamb to the slaughter I suppose.

The allegations are communicated to the Ž›Š•ȱž— Mr Weston said in evidence that he relayed his concerns Š‹˜žȱ‘ŽȱŸŽ›•Š—ȮŠ¢•˜›ȱ issue to Ms Crawford, though Ms Crawford already ‘ŠȱŠȱœ—’ěȱ˜ȱœ˜–Ž‘’—ȱŠ•˜—ȱ‘˜œŽȱ lines. ŽȱœŠ’DZȱ

I told her the allegations that had been put to me and I think I gave her – said look these are some people that have been told and might want – be able to help you out with it.

›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ Œ˜—ŒŽŽȱ ‘Šȱ ‘Žȱ Šœȱ ™›˜‹Š‹•¢ȱ ‘Žȱ ꛜȱ ˜ȱ –Ž—’˜—ȱ ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ conversation with Ms Crawford, not the other way around. One of the reasons he gave ˜›ȱ’œŒžœœ’—ȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ ’‘ȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȱ Šœȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘˜ž‘ȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȱ Šœȱ’—ȱ Šȱ‹ŽĴŽ›ȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ˜ȱ–Š”ŽȱŽ—šž’›’Žœǯȱœ”Žȱ ‘¢ȱ‘Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱœ™ŽŠ”ȱ˜ȱŠ—¢˜—Žȱ›˜–ȱ‘Žȱ Ž™ž¢ȱ›Ž–’Ž›Ȃœȱ–Ž’Šȱž—’ǰȱ‘ŽȱœŠ’ȱit was a personal concern that I had.

Mr Weston suggested to Ms Crawford that she follow up on the names Mr Weston ‘Šȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ’ŸŽ—ȱ‹¢ȱ‘ŽȱŠŒŠŽ–’Œǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱŠȱ‘ŠȱœŠŽȱ‘Žȱ Šœ—Ȃȱ sure whether the allegation was true. He said it –Š¢ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ“žœȱœŒžĴ•Ž‹žĴǰȱ›ž–˜›ȱŠ—ȱ innuendo. He said he hoped Ms Crawford would look into it and ascertain its veracity.

Mr Weston said in evidence he was acting in what he perceived to be the best interests of the community. He said he felt he had no option but to take the story to the media Šœȱ‘Ž›Žȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱ˜—ŽȱŽ•œŽȱ ‘˜ȱŒ˜ž•ȱ˜••˜ ȱž™ȱ˜—ȱ’ǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’DZ

I thought that perhaps if there was a genuine link to Mr Taylor and Mr Overland that it would just be appropriate that it be known publicly because if there was Š—¢ȱœ˜›ȱ˜ȱŠĴŽ–™ȱ˜ȱ ‘’Ž Šœ‘ȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ’—šž’›¢ǰȱ ȱ‘˜ž‘ȱ’ȱ–’‘ȱ‹Žȱ appropriate that people be aware of the full picture…

68 œ”Žȱ‘˜ ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž•ȱŒ˜—›˜•ȱ‘Žȱœ˜›¢ȱ’ȱ’ȱ’—Ȃȱ‘ŠŸŽȱŸŽ›ŠŒ’¢ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ˜•ȱ Ms Crawford look, I don’t know if this is true or not and she said well, I’m not gonna publish anything that’s not true.ȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ ŠœȱŒ˜—ꍮ—ȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŠœœž›Š—ŒŽȱœ‘ŽȱŠŸŽȱ‘’–ǯȱ

Mr Weston said he does not believe he contacted anyone to substantiate his concerns, ˜‘Ž›ȱ‘Š—ȱŠȱœŽ—’˜›ȱŽ ȱ˜ž‘ȱŠ•Žœȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ˜ĜŒŽ›ȱ ‘˜ȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ—˜ȱŒ˜—ę›–Š’˜—ǯȱ Mr Weston said he relied on Ms Crawford to undertake some research.

Mr Weston was asked whether he felt it was within his authority to give information ˜ȱŠȱ“˜ž›—Š•’œȱ‘Šȱ–’‘ȱ‹ŽȱžœŽȱ˜ȱ’–™ž—ȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—ȱ ’‘˜žȱ ꛜȱœ™ŽŠ”’—ȱ˜ȱœ˜–Ž˜—Žȱ–˜›ŽȱœŽ—’˜›ǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱno, it didn’t occur to me at the time. He ŠŽDZȱ

ȱ™›˜‹Š‹•¢ȱœ‘˜ž•ȂŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŠȱ•’Ĵ•Žȱ–˜›ŽȱŒ’›Œž–œ™ŽŒȱ’—ȱ–¢ȱȮȱ–¢ȱ ’••’——Žœœȱ ˜ȱ accept some of the things that were put to me – by some people… I believe my intentions were noble… they weren’t designed to undermine anyone unjustly or, you know, unfairly impugn anyone’s reputation, certainly not at all.

The Attorney General’s Senior Adviser is misled ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‘ŽȱĴ˜›—Ž¢ȱ Ž—Ž›Š•ȱ‘Šȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱ›Žœ™˜—œ’‹’•’¢ȱ˜›ȱ‘Žȱ –‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǯȱ—ȱŗřȱŠ¢ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘ŠȱœŽ—ȱŠȱŒ˜™¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ Š—œŠ›ȱŽ¡›ŠŒȱ˜ȱ ›ȱŽ—‘Š–ȱǻŽ—’˜›ȱŸ’œŽ›ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱĴ˜›—Ž¢ȱ Ž—Ž›Š•Ǽǯȱ

›ȱŽ—‘Š–ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Šǰȱ˜—ȱŠȱœŒŠ•Žȱ˜ȱ˜—Žȱ‘ž—›Žǰȱ‘Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ›ŠŽȱ‘Žȱ ’—˜›–Š’˜—ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ Š—œŠ›ȱŽ¡›ŠŒȱŠœȱŠȱȁ ˜ȂȱŠ—ȱ ˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱœ™Ž—ȱŠ—¢ȱ’–Žȱ˜—ȱ’ǯ

—ȱ‘Žȱ’—Ž›ŒŽ™ŽȱŽ•Ž™‘˜—ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ȱ˜—ȱŗŜȱŠ¢ȱǻ™›ŽŸ’˜žœ•¢ȱ–Ž—’˜—ŽǼȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’DZȱ

John Taylor’s about to get an absolute shellacking in tomorrow or next day’s paper.

ŠŸ’—ȱŽŠ›•’Ž›ȱ›ŽŒŽ’ŸŽȱ‘Žȱ Š—œŠ›ȱŽ¡›ŠŒǰȱ›ȱŽ—‘Š–ȱž—Ž›œ˜˜ȱ‘Žȱ›ŽŽ›Ž—ŒŽǯȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŒ˜—’—žŽDZ

…they’re going to be saying John Taylor and Simon Overland have known each ˜‘Ž›ȱ˜›ȱ¢ŽŠ›œǯȱ ŽȂœȱ˜—ŒŽȱ‹Ž˜›Žȱ’—Ž›ŸŽ—Žȱ’—ȱŠȱ–ŠĴŽ›dzȱŠŽ›ȱ’—œ›žŒ’˜—œȱ›˜–ȱ Overland… so Overland’s once before interfered in an Ombudsman’s inquiry to ™›˜žŒŽȱ‘Žȱ˜žŒ˜–Žȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ Š—ŽdzȱŠ—ȱ‘˜ ȱŒŠ—ȱ Žȱ‘ŠŸŽȱŒ˜—ꍮ—ŒŽȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ –‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ ‘Ž—ȱ¢˜žȂŸŽȱ˜ȱŠȱŽ–˜—œ›Š‹•Žȱ•’—”ǰȱ•˜—ȬœŠ—’—ȱœ˜Œ’Š•ȱ connection between Taylor, the AFP, Overland and his buddies?

A lt ho ug h it i s ac c e p t e d t h at M r We s to n h ad ge nu i n e s u s pic io n s, h i s appa r e nt w i l l i ng n e s s to elaborate on those suspicions was, at best, reckless and, at worst, malicious.

There was then a discussion about the undesirability of actually taking a shot at the Ombudsman personallyǯȱ›ȱŽ—‘Š–ȱœŠ¢œȱǻ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—ǼDZȱ

Ŝş …he’s very much on side, and I don’t think we want to, you know, you run the risk of derailing work that’s underway… and what we wanna do is say that we’ve ’—Ž—’ꮍȱ‘Šȱ‘Ž›ŽȂœȱ‘’œȱŸŽ›¢ȱŒ•˜œŽȱ›Ž•Š’˜—œ‘’™ȱŠ—ȱ Žȱ—ŽŽȱŠœœž›Š—ŒŽœȱ›˜–ȱ the Ombudsman that they are being appropriately managed and in fact we don’t even know if he’s been alerted to it, so that tips the acid on them personally, rather than, you know, the Ombudsman himself.

›ȱŽ—‘Š–ȱ™Š›’Œ’™ŠŽȱ’—ȱŠȱŸ˜•ž—Š›¢ȱ’—Ž›Ÿ’Ž ȱ ’‘ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œǯȱ Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ accept that the reference to work that’s underway was a reference to the investigation by the Ombudsman into the release of Victoria Police crime statistics. He said it was a ›ŽŽ›Ž—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ ˜›”ȱŽ—Ž›Š••¢ǯȱ

As the telephone discussion proceeded, Mr Weston told Mr Denham that Ms Crawford ŠœȱŠ Š’’—ȱž›‘Ž›ȱ’—˜›–Š’˜—ȱ›˜–ȱ ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’DZȱ

…so – but this could work to our advantage, but we just don’t want it to blow up in our face, so, because the – basically they’ll be saying ‘well how can we, you know, if – if given that he’s produced whitewashed reports before – how can we – if ‘’œȱ˜—ŽȂœȱŠȱ ‘’Ž Šœ‘ȱ‘˜ ȱŒŠ—ȱ Žȱ‘ŠŸŽȱŠ—¢ȱŒ˜—ꍮ—ŒŽȱ‘Šȱ‘’œȱ’œȱŠȱ›ŽŠ•ȱ˜žŒ˜–Žǯȱ

Mr Denham said so what we actually want to do there is to have the Ombudsman take a personal interest in it,ȱ˜ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ›Ž™•’ŽDZ

dz¢ŽŠ‘ǰȱ‘Žȱ–Š”ŽœȱȮȱ—ŽŽœȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱœž›Žȱ‘ŽȂœȱ˜ŸŽ›œ’‘’—ȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›œdzȱ Ž—œž›’—ȱ ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ–Š—ŠŽœȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Žœȱ‘ŠȱŠ¢•˜›ȱȮȱŠ¢•˜›ȱ›’‘•¢ȱ˜›ȱ ›˜—•¢ȱ’œȱ perceived to have.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Ž—ȱœŠ’DZ

…don’t contact Crawford, because she’s not really terribly aware that we know at this stage, so we wanna act shocked and outraged when she comes to us.

This was a deliberate deception because Mr Weston had discussed the story with Ms Crawford and encouraged her to write it.

Mr Weston said he assumed Ms Crawford had read to him over the phone the story she was writing, otherwise he would not have been able to forecast that Mr Taylor was going to get an absolute shellacking. He said that in using that term he may have been Ž¡ŠŽ›Š’—ȱŠȱ‹’ǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ’ȱ Šœȱ’–™˜›Š—ȱ˜›ȱ‘ŽȱĴ˜›—Ž¢ȱ Ž—Ž›Š•ȱ˜ȱ ‹Žȱ–ŠŽȱŠ Š›Žȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱœ˜›¢ȱ ŠœȱŠ‹˜žȱ˜ȱ‹›ŽŠ”ǯȱ —ȱ‘’œȱ›ŽŠ›ȱ’ȱ’œȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—ȱ˜ȱ—˜Žȱ ‘ŽȱŒ˜—Ž¡ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽ—‘Š–Ȃœȱ™Š›’Œ’™Š’˜—ȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ǰȱ—Š–Ž•¢ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ ™ž‹•’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱœ˜›¢ȱ Šœȱ’––’—Ž—ǯȱ›ȱŽ—‘Š–ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ‘Žȱ ŠœȱŠĴŽ–™’—ȱ˜ȱ moderate the content of the story.

 ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ ’‘ȱŠ—ȱŽ–Š’•ȱœŽ—ȱ‹¢ȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȱ ˜ȱ Mr Denham at 2.34pm on 16 May containing a draft of the proposed article, for

70 Œ˜––Ž—ȱ ‹¢ȱ ‘Žȱ Ĵ˜›—Ž¢ȱ Ž—Ž›Š•ǯȱ ‘Žȱ Š›’Œ•Žǰȱ ’ȱ ™ž‹•’œ‘Žǰȱ ˜ž•ȱ ‘ŠŸŽȱ ‹ŽŽ—ȱ damaging to the reputations of both Mr Taylor and Mr Overland.

ȱřǯŘŝ™–ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŽ—ȱ›ȱŽ—‘Š–ȱ‘Žȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ—˜Žȱ–Ž—’˜—ŽȱŠ‹˜ŸŽǯȱ Ž›ȱ œŽĴ’—ȱ˜žȱ‘Žȱœ™ŽŒ’ęŒȱŠ••ŽŠ’˜—œȱ–ŠŽȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‹¢ȱ ǰȱ‘Žȱ—˜Žȱ’Ž—’ęŽœȱ‘Žȱ ȁ’œœžŽȱŠȱ‘Š—ȂDZ

[GW] has been in contact with the Herald Sun with this allegation. It is believed that the Herald Sun will:

Report ǽŒ˜––Ž—œȱ›˜–ȱ‘Žȱ Š—œŠ›ȱŽ¡›ŠŒǾ and highlight Taylor’s close Šœœ˜Œ’Š’˜—ȱ ’‘ȱŠȱŒ•’šžŽȱ˜ȱœŽ—’˜›ȱȱ˜ĜŒŽ›œȱ’—Œ•ž’—ȱŸŽ›•Š—Dz

žŽœ’˜—ȱŠœȱ˜ȱ ‘Ž‘Ž›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ‘ŠœȱŽŒ•Š›Žȱ‘’œȱ™˜Ž—’Š•ȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Žœȱ ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—Dz

žŽœ’˜—ȱŠœȱ˜ȱ‘˜ ȱ‘Žȱ’Œ˜›’Š—ȱ˜––ž—’¢ȱŒŠ—ȱ‹ŽȱŒ˜—ꍮ—ȱ‘ŠDZ

[sic] objective and impartial investigation into allegations that crime statistics were distorted by Overland in the lead up to the State election, given Taylor’s long standing relationship with Overland and the claims… that Taylor had ™›ŽŸ’˜žœ•¢ȱŠĴŽ–™Žȱꛜȱ‹›žœ‘ȱ˜ěȱǽœ’ŒǾȱŠȱŒ˜–™•Š’—ȱŠŠ’—œȱ‘ŽȱȱŠ—ȱ‘Ž—ȱ appeared to allow Overland to dictate the manner in which the investigation was conducted.

At 3.40pm Mr Denham forwarded the email he had received from Ms Crawford to the ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱŽ’Šȱ—’ǯȱ Žȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ‹›’—ȱ’ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠĴŽ—’˜—ȱ ˜ȱ‘ŽȱĴ˜›—Ž¢ȱ Ž—Ž›Š•ǯȱ

ȱ–žœȱ‹ŽȱŽ–™‘Šœ’œŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ—˜ŽȱœŽ—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽ—‘Š–ȱŒ˜—Š’—Žȱ –Ž›Žȱ allegations, which are strongly disputed by Mr Taylor and Mr Overland. The allegations have not been investigated for the purpose of this investigation. Mr Weston now concedes that there is no evidence of a connection between Mr Overland and Mr Taylor. He added I don’t believe that [Mr Overland] spoke to Mr Taylor…

Both Mr Overland and Mr Taylor reject they have ever had a historic or current connection or relationship.

Mr Hindmarsh misled Mr Weston, in his evidence, said that at some stage he discussed with Mr Hindmarsh the alleged connection between Mr Taylor and Mr Overland and may have given him Šȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ—˜Žǯȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Žȱ‘Šœȱ—˜ȱ›ŽŒ˜••ŽŒ’˜—ȱ˜ȱœŽŽ’—ȱ Šȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ—˜Žǯȱ Žȱ Šœȱ‘Ž—ȱœ‘˜ —ȱŠȱŒ˜™¢ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ‹›’Žę—ȱ—˜Žȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ to Mr Denham and described it as frivolous. Mr Hindmarsh said he and Mr Weston ’œŒžœœŽȱ‘Žȱ’Œ˜›’Š—ȱ–‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ›’–ŽȱœŠ’œ’Œœȱ’œœžŽǰȱ‹žȱ he did not authorise or encourage Mr Weston to make any enquiries.

71 —ȱ‘’œȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠŒ”—˜ •ŽŽȱ‘Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ’—˜›–ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ ˜›ȱŠ—¢˜—Žȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŽ’Šȱ—’ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ’ŸŽ—ȱ‘Žȱœ˜›¢ȱ˜ȱœȱ›Š ˜›ǰȱ ‘˜ž‘ȱ he believes he told Mr Hindmarsh that the Herald Sun was aware of the allegation. His reason for misleading Mr Hindmarsh was I didn’t want to involve anyone because, again, I didn’t know whether it was true or not.

Mr Davies urges Mr Weston to ‘pull’ the story At 3.33 pm that day, about four hours after Mr Weston had spoken to Mr Denham, Mr Weston received a telephone call from Mr Davies. Mr Weston said he was in a –ŽŽ’—ǰȱ˜›ȱŠ‹˜žȱ˜ȱ˜ȱ’—˜ȱŠȱ–ŽŽ’—ǰȱŠ—ȱŠœ”Žȱ’ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž•ȱŒŠ••ȱ‹ŠŒ”ǯȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’DZ

…um, mate, one quick sentence: go cold on the Taylor story… I’ll explain later… if anyone’s got it tell ’em to pull it.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱœž›™›’œŽȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȂȱ›ŽšžŽœȱ˜ȱ‘pull’ the story because it was still a genuine issue. At that stage he believed the story would run the following –˜›—’—ǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ•ŠŽ›ȱœ™˜”Žȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœȱ ‘˜ȱœŠ’ǰȱ’—ȱŽěŽŒǰȱit may do more harm than good Š—ȱŠ•œ˜ȱœŠ’DZ

I don’t think there’s any connection between Taylor and Overland… and sort of I think implied that Mr Taylor… was not in Mr Overland’s camp and that sort of thing.

—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ ǰȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ’œŒžœœŽȱ‘Žȱ–ŠĴŽ›ȱ ’‘ȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ along the lines do you think this is fair dinkum?ȱŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȂœȱŸ’Ž ȱ was it’s completely baseless and wrong. Mr Davies said he conveyed this information to ›ȱŽœ˜—ǯȱ¢ȱ‘ŠȱœŠŽǰȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ’—˜ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž•ŽŠœŽȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ›’–Žȱ statistics was apparently well advanced.

Mr Weston gives Ms Crawford ‘something better’ Mr Weston spoke to Ms Crawford later that day and told her you’ve just got to wait a bit,ȱ‹žȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ˜ŒŒž›ȱž—’•ȱŞǯśśȱ™–ǯȱ —ȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŠ—’–ŽǰȱŠȱŞǯřřȱ™–ǰȱ Mr Weston spoke again to the academic who gave him information concerning the Š••ŽŽȱ–’œŒ˜—žŒȱ˜ȱŠȱ˜›–Ž›ȱȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱŒž››Ž—•¢ȱŽ–™•˜¢Žȱ‹¢ȱ ǯȱ‘Žȱ˜›–Ž›ȱ AFP member had been cleared of the allegation by an AFP internal discipline tribunal, presided over by a judge. Nonetheless, Mr Weston and the academic discussed the –ŠĴŽ›ȱ˜›ȱ–žŒ‘ȱ‘Ž’›ȱŘŘȱ–’—žŽȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ǰȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱŒ˜—Œ•žŽȱŠȱ Şǯśśȱ ™–ǯȱ ‘Žȱ academic had previously sent Mr Weston two statements from the individuals who had made the original allegations against the former AFP member. The academic gave Mr Weston further information in the telephone call and said he would send additional information.

Within two minutes of concluding this call, Mr Weston told Ms Crawford you’ve just got to wait a bitȱǻ˜—ȱ‘ŽȱŸŽ›•Š—ȮŠ¢•˜›ȱœ˜›¢ǼȱŠ’—ȱȁŒ˜œȱ Ȃ••ȱ’ŸŽȱ¢˜žȱœ˜–Ž‘’—ȱ‹ŽĴŽ›.

72 He then passed on to Ms Crawford, in some detail, the information he had received ›˜–ȱ‘ŽȱŠŒŠŽ–’ŒȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—’—ȱ‘Žȱ ȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽŽǯȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȱœŠ’ȱœ‘Žȱœ’••ȱ Š—Žȱ ˜ȱŒ˜—ę›–ȱ’—˜›–Š’˜—ȱ›Ž•Š’—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŸŽ›•Š—ȮŠ¢•˜›ȱœ˜›¢ȱ˜ȱ›¢ȱ˜ȱŽȱŠȱœ˜›¢ȱ‘Šȱ pans out. She said she had spoken to the investigator who denied everything… said it had nothing to do with Overland…

Prior to or in the course of his conversation with Ms Crawford, Mr Weston sent Ms Crawford, from his home email, the two statements he had received from the academic.

ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Šȱ‘˜œŽȱ ‘˜ȱ‘Šȱ–ŠŽȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜–™•Š’—œȱ ŠŠ’—œȱ ‘Žȱ  ȱ Ž–™•˜¢ŽŽȱ Ž›Žȱ ȁ”—˜ —ȱ ˜ȱ ™˜•’ŒŽȂȱ Š—ȱ ‘Šȱ ‘Ž’›ȱ Œ›Ž’‹’•’¢ȱ Šœȱ šžŽœ’˜—Š‹•Žǯȱ‘ŽȱŠ••ŽŠ’˜—œȱŠŠ’—œȱ‘Žȱ ȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽŽȱ‘Šȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ˜ž—ȱž—™›˜ŸŽ—ǰȱŠœȱ Mr Weston knew.

Mr Weston said he thought the discipline inquiry, presided over by a judge which ‘ŠȱŒ•ŽŠ›Žȱ‘Žȱ ȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽŽǰȱ Šœȱa half baked inquiry. This was based on what he had been told by the academic, plus the statements he had received. As earlier mentioned, Mr Weston regarded the academic as having an axe to grind and making all sorts of outlandish allegations, particularly in relation to the AFP. He had never actually met the academic, nor had he ever spoken to him before taking up his position as Police Adviser. He said he knew the academic had previously made allegations against the AFP and had been charged with making a false allegation and that there was a lot of bad blood. He said in evidence that although the academic had some valid points, he may have •Žȱ‘’œȱ™Ž›œ˜—Š•ȱ“ž–Ž—ȱŒ•˜žȱ‘Ž–ȱŠȱ•’Ĵ•Žȱ‹’ǯȱŽȱ ’‘’—ȱ–’—žŽœȱ˜ȱŒ˜—Œ•ž’—ȱ his telephone conversation with the academic, Mr Weston was planting the story with œȱ›Š ˜›ȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘Žȱ ȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽŽȱ˜—ȱ‘Žȱ‹Šœ’œȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ Šœȱœ˜–Ž‘’—ȱ‹ŽĴŽ› than the ŸŽ›•Š—ȮŠ¢•˜›ȱœ˜›¢ȱ ‘’Œ‘ǰȱ’—ȱŒ˜–™•’Š—ŒŽȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱŠŸ’ŽœȂȱž›Ž—ȱ–ŽœœŠŽȱŽŠ›•’Ž›ȱ that day, was to be pulled. This was all done without any reference to Mr Hindmarsh or Minister Ryan –ȱ ‘˜ȱ‘Šȱ–’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱ›Žœ™˜—œ’‹’•’¢ȱ˜›ȱ ǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ ž—Š Š›Žȱ˜ȱŠ—¢ȱœ›ŠŽ¢ȱ’—ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ˜ȱ’œŒ›Ž’ȱ ǯ

Stories not published ˜ȱœȱ›Š ˜›ȂœȱŒ›Ž’ǰȱ‘Žȱ™›˜™˜œŽȱŠ¢•˜›ȮŸŽ›•Š—ȱœ˜›¢ȱ Šœȱ—ŽŸŽ›ȱ™ž‹•’œ‘Žǰȱ —˜›ȱ‘Žȱœ˜›¢ȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—’—ȱ‘Žȱ ȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽŽǯȱ

‘’œȱŽ™˜›ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ‹ŽȱŠ”Ž—ȱŠœȱ’—ȱŠ—¢ȱ Š¢ȱŒ˜—ę›–’—ȱŠ—¢ȱŠ••ŽŠ’˜—ȱ ŠŠ’—œȱ Mr Taylor or Mr Overland though, unfortunately, the mere recitation of what allegedly ˜ŒŒž››Žȱ–Š¢ȱ‹ŽȱœŽŽ—ȱ‹¢ȱœ˜–Žȱ˜ȱ›ŽĚŽŒȱŠŸŽ›œŽ•¢ȱ˜—ȱ˜—Žȱ˜›ȱ‹˜‘ȱ˜ȱ‘Ž–ǯȱ ȱŠ–ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ view, nonetheless, that this possible detriment is outweighed by the need for these ŽŸŽ—œȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱ›ŽŒ˜›Žǯȱ ȱŠȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ǰȱŠȱ‘’œȱ’—Ž›Ÿ’Ž ȱ ’‘ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œǰȱ ‘Šȱ —˜ȱ ›ŽŒ˜••ŽŒ’˜—ȱ ˜ȱ Ž•Ž™‘˜—’—ȱ ‘Žȱ ˜––˜— ŽŠ•‘ȱ –‹žœ–Š—ȂœȱĜŒŽȱŠ—ȱ described the allegation of what was allegedly said as ridiculous.

73 Conclusion œȱ ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ–Ž—’˜—Žǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ—˜ ȱŒ˜—ŒŽŽœȱ‘Šȱ‘Ž›Žȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ ˜ȱ Šȱ connection between Mr Overland and Mr Taylor. Why, then, was he so ready to have ›ȱŠ¢•˜›Ȃœȱ›Ž™žŠ’˜—ȱŠĴŠŒ”Žȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱHerald Sunǵȱ —ȱ–¢ȱ˜™’—’˜—ǰȱ‘ŽȱŠ—œ Ž›ȱ•’Žœȱ’—ȱŠȱ Œ˜––Ž—ȱ–ŠŽȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ǰȱ—Š–Ž•¢ȱ‘ŠȱŠœȱŠȱ›Žœž•ȱ˜DZ

dzœ˜–Žȱ‘’‘Ž›˜dzȱž—”—˜ —ȱŒ˜——ŽŒ’˜—ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱŠ—ȱ Mr Overland then perhaps Sir Ken was being – um was going to be a, you know, lamb to the slaughter I suppose.

‘’œȱ Šœȱ Šȱ ›ŽŽ›Ž—ŒŽȱ ˜ȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ Ÿ’Ž ȱ ‘Šȱ ‘Žȱ ›Ž•ŽŠœŽȱ ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ›’–ŽȱœŠ’œ’Œœȱ ’—Ÿ˜•ŸŽȱ ’–™›˜™›’Ž¢ǯȱ ›ȱ Žœ˜—ȱ ‘Šȱ Š•’—Žȱ ‘’–œŽ•ȱ ˜ȱ ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ Š—ȱ ŠŠ’—œȱ Mr Overland. He would do what had to be done in that cause, with or without Š™™›˜ŸŠ•ǰȱ Š—ȱ ˜ž•ȱ Œ˜—ŒŽŠ•ȱ ‘’œȱ ŠŒ’˜—œǰȱ ’ȱ —ŽŽȱ ‹Žǯȱ Žȱ Š•œ˜ȱ ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‘Šȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ Šœȱž—Ž›ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ‹¢ȱ ǯȱ‘’œȱ–Š¢ȱŽ¡™•Š’—ȱ‘Žȱ‘ŠœŽȱ ’‘ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ‘Žȱ’œŒ•˜œŽȱ to Ms Crawford the allegations he had received, moments before, from an informant Ž–‹’ĴŽ›ŽȱŠŠ’—œȱ‘ŽȱǰȱŒ˜—ŒŽ›—’—ȱŠ—ȱ ȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽŽȱŠ—ȱ˜›–Ž›ȱȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ who Mr Weston knew to have been cleared of those allegations.

—ȱŽŸŽ›¢ȱŠœ™ŽŒȱ‘’œȱ ŠœȱŠȱ’œž›‹’—ȱŽ™’œ˜Žǯ

›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŽ¡™•Š—Š’˜—ȱ˜›ȱŽ—Œ˜ž›Š’—ȱ‘Žȱ™ž‹•’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ of media stories critical of Victoria Police ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’ȱ’—ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽDZ

I had communicated to the Minister before my concerns about Mr Overland and ‘’œȱŠĴŽ–™œȱ˜ȱž—Ž›–’—Žȱ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ ȱ‘’—”ȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱŠŒ’˜—œȱ‘Šȱ ȱ˜˜”ȱ [in providing stories to the media] were all aimed at exposing Mr Overland’s ž™•’Œ’¢ǰȱ‘’œȱŠĴŽ–™œȱ˜ȱž—Ž›–’—Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱŠ—ǰȱŠ•˜—ȱ ’‘ȱ˜‘Ž›œǰȱ˜ȱ‹›’—ȱ Š‹˜žȱ‘ŽȱŽ–’œŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ‘Šȱ ŠœȱŠȱœž‹œŠ—’Š•ȱŠĴŽ–™ȱ˜ȱœž‹ŸŽ›ȱ the lawful democratic process, and it was an action that was not one that could be condoned.

ŽȱŠŽDZȱ

‘Žȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ǰȱ ȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽǰȱ Šœȱž—Ž›ȱŠĴŠŒ”ȱ‘Šȱ‘Ž¢ȱ Ž›Ž—Ȃȱž••¢ȱŠ Š›Žȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱ – and not only by Mr Overland, by many others who had been – who had 11 years of entrenched public service appointments who were opposed fundamentally to this Government and they were actively working to oppose it. I didn’t really have an end proposal as such, other than to bring some accountability to Mr Overland. My ultimate aim was just to continue to bring – hold Mr Overland to account. If Mr Overland had have pulled up his socks and started running the police force properly, I wouldn’t have had an issue with Mr Overland. It was – I didn’t have a personal issue with Mr Overland, I had an issue with his behaviour and his and –

74 and what he was doing. So I didn’t have an objective to do other – anything other than to simply show the real man himself and – and then, others could make, you know, judgments on what they saw.

œȱ˜ȱ ‘¢ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ—˜ȱœ˜ž‘ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȂœȱŠ™™›˜ŸŠ•ȱ˜›ȱ’—˜›–Žȱ‘’–ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŠŒ’˜—œǰȱ ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ’DZ

…sometimes you know, in – in protecting the Minister… you do certain things that… if he doesn’t know about it he can’t be accused of having a hand in it.

’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘’œȱ’œȱ—˜ȱŠ—ȱŠĴ’žŽȱ‘ŽȱŽ—Œ˜ž›ŠŽǰȱŠž‘˜›’œŽȱ or condoned.

Response by Mr Weston to allegations of impropriety Mr Weston denied that he had brought Victoria Police into disrepute. He said it is possible to be critical of the Chief Commissioner without bringing Victoria Police into disrepute. He said that he had never disclosed information that was operationally sensitive and never disclosed anything he had a duty as a police member not to disclose or which breached his duty to his Minister.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜ž—œŽ•ǰȱ›ȱ ˜‘—œǰȱœž‹–’ĴŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Ž›Žȱ Šœȱ—˜ȱž—•Š ž•ȱ Œ˜—žŒȱ ‹¢ȱ Mr Weston. He said there is no evidence that he disclosed sensitive information. Žȱœž‹–’ĴŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Ž›Žȱ’œȱ—˜ȱŒ˜—žŒȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘ŠȱŠ–˜ž—œȱ˜ȱ–’œŒ˜—žŒȱ’—ȱ ™ž‹•’Œȱ˜ĜŒŽǯ

Response inconsistent with confession to Mr Hindmarsh Mr Hindmarsh said he had warned Mr Weston on a number of occasions that leaking would not be tolerated and had asked him whether he was the government source in stories that had been appearing. According to Mr Hindmarsh, Mr Weston emphatically denied being the government sourceDZȱ’—ȱ˜‘Ž›ȱ ˜›œǰȱ‘ŽȱŽ—’Žȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ ‘Šȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ‹ŠŒ”›˜ž—’—ȱ“˜ž›—Š•’œœȱ‹Ž‘’—ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘Ȃœȱ‹ŠŒ”ǯȱ˜ȱ˜—•¢ȱ Šœȱ‘’œȱ a false denial, but Mr Weston persisted in the same conduct.

›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ˜•ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Šȱ˜—ȱŘşȱ˜›ȱřŖȱ ž—ŽȱŘŖŗŗȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ™™›˜ŠŒ‘Žȱ him in a distressed state. By this stage Mr Weston had resigned from Victoria Police following withdrawal of permission to undertake secondary employment. Mr Weston Š–’ĴŽȱ ˜ȱ ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ ‘Šȱ ‘Žȱ ǻ›ȱ Žœ˜—Ǽȱ ‘Šȱ •’Žȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ’—’œŽ›ȱ Š—ȱ ‘Šȱ ‘ŽȱŽ•ȱœ‘Š–Žž•ȱŠ—ȱž’•¢ǯȱ ŽȱœŠ’ȱ‘Šȱ˜—ȱ˜ž›ȱ˜›ȱ꟎ȱ˜ŒŒŠœ’˜—œȱ “˜ž›—Š•’œœȱ ‘Šȱ Š™™›˜ŠŒ‘Žȱ‘’–ȱ ’‘ȱŠȱ•’Ĵ•Žȱ‹’ȱ˜ȱ’—˜›–Š’˜—ȱŠ—ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ’ŸŽ—ȱ‘Ž–ȱž›‘Ž›ȱŽŠ’•œȱ to enable them to write stories. He said he thought that he could control the stories and believed he was doing the right thing, though unbeknown to the Minister.

75 Mr Hindmarsh advised the Minister and the Director of Human Resources of ‘’œȱŒ˜—ŸŽ›œŠ’˜—ȱ ’‘ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠ—ȱŠ•œ˜ȱ’—’ŒŠŽȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ•˜œȱŒ˜—ꍮ—ŒŽȱ’—ȱ Mr Weston.

’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱ˜•ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŠ Š›Žȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜—žŒǰȱ Mr Weston would have been dismissed.

Opportunity given to Mr Weston to lodge complaint —ȱŘŖȱ ž•¢ȱŘŖŗŗȱ ȱ ›˜Žȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠœ”’—ȱ ‘Ž‘Ž›ȱ‘Žȱ ’œ‘Žȱ˜ȱ•˜ŽȱŠȱ˜›–Š•ȱ complaint for investigation concerning any allegation he had made against former ‘’Žȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽǯȱ—ȱŘśȱ ž•¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ responded that he did not wish to do so, but that he would provide information to the ™ŽŒ’Š•ȱ —šž’›¢ȱ‹Ž’—ȱŒ˜—žŒŽȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱžœ‘ȱǰȱ’ȱ›Žšž’›Žǯ

’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—Ȃœȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ˜ȱ›Šȱ›Ž™˜› —ȱŠȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ˜ȱŠȱ›Šȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—ȱœŠ’DZ

I would also like to take this opportunity to re-state that the activities undertaken by Mr Weston set out in the Draft Report were not authorised by me or anyone in –¢ȱ˜ĜŒŽǯȱ ȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ’œŒžœœȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŠŒ’Ÿ’’Žœȱ ’‘ȱ‘’–ȱ˜›ȱŠ—¢˜—ŽȱŽ•œŽȱ‹Ž˜›Žȱ or after they were undertaken. To the best of my knowledge and belief, Mr Weston ’ȱ—˜ȱ’œŒžœœȱ‘Ž–ȱ ’‘ȱŠ—¢˜—ŽȱŽ•œŽȱ›˜–ȱ–¢ȱ˜ĜŒŽǯ

Mr Weston acted beyond his authority in relation to the issues set out in the Draft Report. In my opinion, his actions were totally inappropriate.

›ȱŸŽ›•Š—Ȃœȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽ ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ǰȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ’—Ž›Ÿ’Ž ȱ ’‘ȱ ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œǰȱ Šœȱœ‘˜ —ȱ‘Žȱ—Ž œ™Š™Ž›ȱ articles, most of which he described as inaccurate or unfair, or both, giving reasons. ‘Žȱ™ž›™˜œŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ’œȱ˜ȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜—›’‹ž’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ™ž‹•’ŒŠ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ ‘ŽȱŠ›’Œ•ŽœǯȱŒŒ˜›’—•¢ǰȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȂœȱŽŠ’•Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ˜ȱ‘Ž–ȱ ’••ȱ—˜ȱ‹Žȱ’—Œ•žŽǯ

™Š›ȱ›˜–ȱ—˜’—ȱ‘ŽȱŠ™™Š›Ž—ȱ’–™›˜™›’Ž¢ȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŒ˜—žŒǰȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ Ž¡™›ŽœœŽȱŠœ˜—’œ‘–Ž—ȱ‘Šȱœ˜–Ž˜—Žȱ ˜›”’—ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ˜ȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ ˜ž•ȱ ›Ž™ŽŠŽ•¢ȱȁ•ŽŠ”ȂȱŠŠ’—œȱ‘Žȱ˜›Š—’œŠ’˜—ȱ˜›ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ‘’œȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ Šœȱ›Žœ™˜—œ’‹•ŽȱŠ—ȱ against the organisation (Victoria Police) to which he also owed allegiance.

76 Conclusion and recommendations

››ŽŒ˜—Œ’•Š‹•ŽȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Žœ —ȱ‘’—œ’‘ǰȱ’ȱ’œȱœž›™›’œ’—ȱŠ—ȱž—˜›ž—ŠŽȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ ŠœȱŽŸŽ›ȱ ‘˜ž‘ȱ Š™™›˜™›’ŠŽȱ ˜›ȱŠȱœŽ›Ÿ’—ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ˜ŒŒž™¢ȱŠȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ ‘Ž›Žȱ‘Žȱ ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›Ȃœȱ™›’—Œ’™Š•ȱ›Žœ™˜—œ’‹’•’¢ǰȱŠœȱŽœŒ›’‹Žȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ Šœȱ˜ȱ™›˜ŽŒȱ the Minister and the Government, not to serve the Chief Commissioner and Victoria Police. Mr Weston said in evidence he did not consider the role of Adviser and his Œ˜—’—žŠ’˜—ȱŠœȱŠȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱ’—Œ˜–™Š’‹•Žǯȱ ȱœ›˜—•¢ȱ’œŠ›ŽŽǯȱ —ȱ–¢ȱ˜™’—’˜—ȱ’ȱ’œȱ’–™˜œœ’‹•Žȱ˜›ȱŠȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ›ŽŒ˜—Œ’•Žȱ‘Žȱž’Žœȱ˜ȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ Adviser to the Minister with the duty of that member to Victoria Police. There is a ž—Š–Ž—Š•ȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›ŽœȱŽŸ’Ž—ȱ’–ŽȱŠ—ȱŠŠ’—ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ—Š››Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽŸŽ—œȱ ‘Šȱ˜ŒŒž››Žȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ™›’•ȱŠ—ȱ ž—Žȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ¢ŽŠ›ǯȱ —ȱ–¢ȱŸ’Ž ǰȱŠȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱ ‘˜ȱ ’œ‘Žœȱ˜ȱ‹ŽȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽȱŠœȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ›Žœ’—ȱ›˜–ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ ˜•’ŒŽǯȱȱŒ˜ž›œŽǰȱœŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱŠœȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ‹¢ȱ’œŽ•ȱ‹ŽȱŠ—ȱ’–™Ž’–Ž—ȱ to re-employment with Victoria Police at a later stage, where appropriate.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŒŠ——˜ȱŠ’›•¢ȱ‹ŽȱŒ›’’Œ’œŽȱ˜›ȱŽĴ’—ȱ‘’–œŽ•ȱ’—˜ȱŠȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ˜ȱŒ˜—Ě’ŒǯȱœȱŠȱ serving Victoria Police member he sought and was granted permission to undertake Ž–™•˜¢–Ž—ȱ Šœȱ Šȱ ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱ ĜŒŽ›ǯȱ Ž›–’œœ’˜—ȱ œ‘˜ž•ȱ —˜ȱ ‘ŠŸŽȱ ‹ŽŽ—ȱ ›Š—Žǯȱ An unfortunate precedent had been set under previous Governments.

—ȱŠȱŸ˜•ž—Š›¢ȱ’—Ž›Ÿ’Ž ǰȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǰȱ›ȱŽ—ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ǰȱ ˜•ȱ  ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š˜›œȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ ’••ȱ—˜ȱŠŠ’—ȱŠ••˜ ȱŠȱœŽ›Ÿ’—ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ‹ŽȱŠœœ’—Žȱ ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽȱŠœȱŠ—ȱŠŸ’œŽ›ǯ

What went wrong? ˜›ȱ›ŽŠœ˜—œȱŽ¡™•Š’—ŽȱŽŠ›•’Ž›ȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ǰȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ™Ž›–’ĴŽȱ Detective Leading Senior Constable Weston to undertake secondary employment as Š—ȱŸ’œŽ›ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ǯȱž’ŽȱŠ™Š›ȱ›˜–ȱ‘Žȱ’››ŽŒ˜—Œ’•Š‹•ŽȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ of interest which the appointment created, there were factors personal to Mr Weston that made him a poor choice. As this report shows, he had no sense of boundaries Ȯȱ —Ž’‘Ž›ȱ ‘Ž›Žȱ ‘Ž¢ȱ Ž›Žǰȱ —˜›ȱ ‘Ž—ȱ ‘Žȱ ‘Šȱ Œ›˜œœŽȱ ‘Ž–ǯȱ ŸŽ—ȱ ŠŽ›ȱ ‘Žȱ —Šž›Žȱ Š—ȱœŒŠ•Žȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŒ˜—žŒȱ‘Šȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŽ¡™˜œŽȱŠ—ȱŽ¡Š–’—Žȱž›’—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ  ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ǰȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ—˜ȱ›ŽŠ•ȱ’—œ’‘ȱ’—˜ȱ’œȱ–Š—’ŽœȱŽ¡ŒŽœœŽœȱŠ—ȱ’–™›˜™›’Ž¢ǯȱ Either he was not properly instructed in the proper limits of his role, or he failed to understand or ignored the instructions he was given. Certainly, he concealed the true —Šž›ŽȱŠ—ȱŽ¡Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŠŒ’Ÿ’’Žœȱ›˜–ȱ‘’œȱ’––Ž’ŠŽȱœž™Ž›’˜›ǰȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ǰȱŠ—ȱ ”—˜ ’—•¢ȱ–’œ•Žȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ǯȱ‘Ž‘Ž›ȱ‘’œȱœž™Ž›Ÿ’œ’˜—ȱ ŠœȱŠŽšžŠŽȱ’œȱ’ĜŒž•ȱ ˜ȱŽŽ›–’—Žǯȱ ȱ ˜ž•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ—˜ȱŽŠœ¢ȱŠœ”ǯ

77 ȱ’œȱŒ•ŽŠ›ȱ‘Šȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ™Ž›˜›–Š—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›˜•ŽȱŠœȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŸ’œŽ›ǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ Šœȱ™ž›œž’—ȱ his own political agenda. This may, in part, be a by-product of his unsuccessful ŒŠ—’ŠŒ¢ȱ˜›ȱ‘ŽȱœŽŠȱ˜ȱŠŒŽ˜—ǯȱ ŠŸ’—ȱŠ’•Žȱ˜ȱŠ’—ȱŠ›•’Š–Ž—Š›¢ȱ˜ĜŒŽǰȱ‘Žȱ˜ž—ȱ ‘’–œŽ•ȱ’—ȱŠȱ™˜œ’’˜—ȱ˜ȱ™˜ Ž›ȱŠ—ȱ’—ĚžŽ—ŒŽȱ—˜ȱ—Ž ȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱŠ›•’Š–Ž—ȱŒ˜ž•ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ dreamt of and he simply did not know where to draw the line, or much care.

Recommendations œȱœŠŽȱ™›ŽŸ’˜žœ•¢ǰȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ Šœȱ ›’ĴŽ—ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ™ž›œž’ȱ˜ȱ–¢ȱœŠž˜›¢ȱ˜‹•’Š’˜—œDZ

Ȋȱ To ensure that the highest ethical and professional standards are maintained in Victoria Police.

Ȋȱ To ensure that police corruption and serious misconduct are detected, investigated and prevented.

Ȋȱ To educate Victoria Police and the general community regarding police Œ˜››ž™’˜—ȱŠ—ȱœŽ›’˜žœȱ–’œŒ˜—žŒǰȱ’—Œ•ž’—ȱ‘ŽȱŽěŽŒȱ˜ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱŒ˜››ž™’˜—ȱŠ—ȱ serious misconduct.

The production of recommendations is a supplementary, yet important, objective.

ȱ›ŽŒ˜––Ž—ȱ‘Šȱ’ȱŠȱœŽ›Ÿ’—ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ’œȱ‘Ž›ŽŠŽ›ȱ˜ȱ‹ŽȱŠ™™˜’—Žȱ˜ȱŠȱ ›˜•Žȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ”’—ȱ’œŒžœœŽȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›DZ

Ȋȱ ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱœ›’Œ•¢ȱ˜—ȱŠȱ•’Š’œ˜—ȱ‹Šœ’œǯ

Ȋȱ ‘Žȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ—˜ȱ‹ŽȱŽ—ŠŽȱŠœǰȱ˜›ȱ›ŽŠ›ŽȱŠœǰȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ǯ

Ȋȱ ‘Žȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›Ȃœȱž’ŽœȱŠ—ȱž—Œ’˜—œȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹ŽȱŠ™˜•’’ŒŠ•ǯ

Ȋȱ The police member should report to a superior within Victoria Police, not to the ’—’œŽ›Ȃœȱ‘’Žȱ˜ȱŠěǯ

Ȋȱ ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹ŽȱŒ•ŽŠ›•¢ȱž—Ž›œ˜˜ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ–Ž–‹Ž›Ȃœȱꛜȱž¢ȱ’œȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǰȱ—˜ȱ to the Minister or to the Government.

Ȋȱ ‘Žȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ•˜ŒŠŽȱ’—ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ™›Ž–’œŽœȱŠ—ȱ‘’œȦ‘Ž›ȱŠĴŽ—Š—ŒŽȱŠȱ ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’—’œŽ›ȱœ‘˜ž•ȱ‹Žȱ˜—ȱŠ—ȱȁŠœȱ—ŽŽœȂȱ‹Šœ’œǯȱ

78 Federal Inquiry ȱ‘Žȱžœ›Š•’Š—ȱ ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—Ȃœȱ™›˜™˜œŽȱ’—šž’›¢ȱ’—˜ȱ‘Žȱ–Ž’Šȱ™›˜ŒŽŽœǰȱ ‘Žȱ use of the media in the campaign against former Chief Commissioner Overland deserves consideration.

Jurisdiction ‘ŽȱŠŒ’˜—œȱ˜ȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱŸ’œŽ›ȱŠ›Žȱ—˜ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š‹•Žȱ‹¢ȱ‘Žȱ’Œ˜›’Š—ȱ–‹žœ–Š—ȱ Ž¡ŒŽ™DZ

Ȋȱ —ȱŠ—ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱž—Ž›ȱŠȱŠ›•’Š–Ž—Š›¢ȱ›ŽŽ›Ž—ŒŽǯ

Ȋȱ —ȱ Š—ȱ ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱ ˜••˜ ’—ȱ Šȱ ’œŒ•˜œž›Žȱ ž—Ž›ȱ ‘Žȱ Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001.

Ȋȱ —Œ’Ž—Š••¢ȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ȱž—Ž›ȱœŽŒ’˜—ȱŗřȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—ȱŒȱŗşŝř which ’œȱ•’–’Žȱ˜DZ …administrative action taken in any Government Department or Public Statutory ˜¢ȱ˜ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ‘’œȱŒȱŠ™™•’Žœȱ˜›ȱ‹¢ȱŠ—¢ȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱœŠěȱ˜ȱŠȱž—’Œ’™Š•ȱ˜ž—Œ’•ǯ

Ž›Žȱ’ȱ—˜ȱ˜›ȱ‘ŽȱŠŒȱ‘Šȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ›Ž–Š’—ŽȱŠȱœŽ›Ÿ’—ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ˜ĜŒŽ›ȱ ‘’•Žȱ Ž–™•˜¢Žȱ Šœȱ ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱ Ÿ’œŽ›ǰȱ ‘’œȱ ›Ž™˜›ȱ –’‘ȱ —ŽŸŽ›ȱ ‘ŠŸŽȱ ‹ŽŽ—ȱ ›’ĴŽ—ǯȱ ‘’œȱ jurisdictional vacuum will presumably be addressed in the creation of the proposed independent broad-based anti-corruption commission.

ŝş ™™Ž—’¡ȱ—ŽȱȮȱŽŠ•ȱŠ—ȱ™˜•’Œ¢ȱ framework

Police Integrity Act 2008 Section 8(1)ȱ›Žšž’›ŽœȱŠ—ȱŽ–™˜ Ž›œȱ–ŽDZ

(a) ˜ȱŽ—œž›Žȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘’‘ŽœȱŽ‘’ŒŠ•ȱŠ—ȱ™›˜Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱœŠ—Š›œȱŠ›Žȱ –Š’—Š’—Žȱ ’—ȱ ’Œ˜›’Šȱ ˜•’ŒŽDzȱŠ—

(b) to ensure that police corruption and serious misconduct are detected, investigated and ™›ŽŸŽ—ŽDzȱŠ—

(c) ˜ȱŽžŒŠŽȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŠ—ȱ‘ŽȱŽ—Ž›Š•ȱŒ˜––ž—’¢ȱ›ŽŠ›’—ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ Œ˜››ž™’˜—ȱ Š—ȱ œŽ›’˜žœȱ–’œŒ˜—žŒǰȱ’—Œ•ž’—ȱ‘ŽȱŽěŽŒȱ˜ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱŒ˜››ž™’˜—ȱŠ—ȱœŽ›’˜žœȱ–’œŒ˜—žŒǯ

‘ŽȱŒȱ˜Žœȱ—˜ȱŽę—ŽȱŒ˜››ž™’˜—ǯȱ‘Žȱ–ŽŠ—’—œȱ˜ȱȁŒ˜››ž™ȂȱŠ—ȱȁŒ˜››ž™’˜—Ȃȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ ‹ŽŽ—ȱ‘Žȱœž‹“ŽŒȱ˜ȱ–žŒ‘ȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—ȱ‹¢ȱ“žŽœȱŠ—ȱ•ŽŠ•ȱ ›’Ž›œǯȱȱ ˜›”’—ȱŽę—’’˜—ȱ Ž–™•˜¢Žȱ‹¢ȱ ȱ’œȱ‘ŠȱŒ˜››ž™’˜—ǰȱ’—ȱŠȱ™˜•’Œ’—ȱŒ˜—Ž¡ǰȱ’—Ÿ˜•ŸŽœȱŠȱŽ•’‹Ž›ŠŽȱŠŒǰȱ˜›ȱ acts, of dishonesty, abuse of public trust, abuse of power or authority or breach of the law in circumstances which undermine or are against the interests of Victoria Police Š—ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱŠ›Žȱ’—Œ˜–™Š’‹•Žȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ’–™Š›’Š•ȱ’œŒ‘Š›Žȱ˜ȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•ȱž’Žœǯ

Serious misconductǰȱ’—ȱ›Ž•Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱŠȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǰȱ’œȱŽę—Žȱ’—ȱœŽŒ’˜—ȱřȱ ˜ȱ–ŽŠ—DZ

(a) Œ˜—žŒȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱŒ˜—œ’žŽœȱŠ—ȱ˜ěŽ—ŒŽȱ™ž—’œ‘Š‹•Žȱ‹¢ȱ’–™›’œ˜—–Ž—Dzȱ˜›

(b) Œ˜—žŒȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ’œȱ•’”Ž•¢ȱ˜ȱ‹›’—ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ’—˜ȱ’œ›Ž™žŽȱ˜›ȱ’–’—’œ‘ȱ™ž‹•’ŒȱŒ˜—ꍮ—ŒŽȱ ’—ȱ’Dzȱ˜›

(c) ’œ›ŠŒŽž•ȱ˜›ȱ’–™›˜™Ž›ȱŒ˜—žŒȱǻ ‘Ž‘Ž›ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ–Ž–‹Ž›Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•ȱŒŠ™ŠŒ’¢ȱ˜›ȱ˜‘Ž› ’œŽǼǯ

Police Regulation 1958 Section 69ȱ™›˜Ÿ’Žœǰȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—•¢DZ

1. a member of the force commits a breach of discipline if he or she:

(c) engages in conduct that is likely to bring the force into disrepute or diminish public Œ˜—ꍮ—ŒŽȱ’—ȱ’Dzȱ˜›

ǻŽǼȱ’œȱž’•¢ȱ˜ȱ’œ›ŠŒŽž•ȱ˜›ȱ’–™›˜™Ž›ȱŒ˜—žŒȱǻ ‘Ž‘Ž›ȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ˜›ȱ‘Ž›ȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•ȱŒŠ™ŠŒ’¢ȱ or otherwise)

80 Section 127A(1) ™›˜Ÿ’ŽœDZ

1. A person who is a member of police personnel must not access, make use of or disclose any information that has come into his or her knowledge or possession, by virtue of his or her ˜ĜŒŽȱ˜›ȱ‹¢ȱŸ’›žŽȱ˜ȱ™Ž›˜›–’—ȱ‘’œȱ˜›ȱ‘Ž›ȱž—Œ’˜—œȱŠœȱŠȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱ˜ȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ™Ž›œ˜——Ž•ǰȱ’ȱ’ȱ’œȱ the member’s duty not to access, make use of or disclose the information.

240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years or both.

’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱ —œ›žŒ’˜—œ The Victoria Police Manual Leave Without Pay Instruction requires that during ™Ž›’˜ȱ˜ȱ•ŽŠŸŽȱ ’‘˜žȱ™Š¢ȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽŽœȱ›Ž–Š’—ȱœž‹“ŽŒȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽȱŒ˜Žœȱ˜ȱŒ˜—žŒȱ and ethics.

The Victoria Police Manual ŽŒ˜—Š›¢ȱ–™•˜¢–Ž— Instructionȱ›Žšž’›ŽœDZ

‘Ž›Žȱ–žœȱ‹Žȱ—˜ȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Žœȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ‘Žȱž—Œ’˜—œȱŠ—ȱ›Žœ™˜—œ’‹’•’’Žœȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽŽȱ and any private pursuits caused by outside employment. In some instances even the appearance of ŠȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›ŽœȱŒ˜ž•ȱ’œŽ•ȱ“Ž˜™Š›’œŽȱ‘Žȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ’—Ž›’¢ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽ–™•˜¢ŽŽȱ˜›ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǯ

ŽŠ•ȱŽę—’’˜—œ

Improper conduct —ȱ‘’œȱŘŖŖŗȱ’—Š•ȱŽ™˜›ȱ’—˜ȱ‘ŽȱŽ›˜™˜•’Š—ȱ–‹ž•Š—ŒŽȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽǰȱ˜¢Š•ȱ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ȱ ›ȱŽ¡ȱŠœ›¢ȱȱǻŠœȱ‘Žȱ‘Ž—ȱ ŠœǼȱŒ˜—œ’Ž›Žȱ ‘Šȱ’œȱ’—Ÿ˜•ŸŽȱ’—ȱȁ’–™›˜™Ž›ȱŒ˜—žŒȂǯȱ Žȱ•’œŽȱ‘Žȱ˜••˜ ’—ȱŠŒ˜›œǰȱŠ–˜—ȱ˜‘Ž›œǰȱŠœȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—DZȱ

Ȋȱ Improper conduct is likely to be conduct which, within its context, is conduct inconsistent with the proper discharge of the duties, obligations and responsibilities of the person whose conduct is being examined.

Ȋȱ The conduct must be judged objectively.

Ȋȱ It is my view that the impugned conduct must be intended by the person under consideration to occur, but such person need not have an intent to act “improperly”, so long as his or her conduct is conscious and voluntary.

Ȋȱ ˜—žŒȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ˜ŒŒž›œȱ’—ȱŠȱœŽĴ’—ȱ˜ȱ ’•ž•ȱ‹•’——Žœœȱ˜›ȱ›ŽŒ”•Žœœ—ŽœœȱŠœȱ˜ȱ’œȱ™›˜™›’Ž¢ȱ may be judged to be “improper”.

Ȋȱ Relevant conduct need not be criminal or illegal to be improper.

Ȋȱ Impropriety of conduct is to be judged by the context in which it occurred, which will include a consideration of the role, function, responsibilities, powers, codes of conduct, and duties of the position occupied by the person who carried it out.

81 Ȋȱ If there are applicable statutes, contracts, guidelines, directions or standards against the terms of which the propriety of conduct can be judged, then reference will be made to them.

Ȋȱ In the absence of contracts, guidelines, directions or standards, or if, in my view, they ˜ȱ—˜ȱœžĜŒ’Ž—•¢ȱ’—˜›–ȱŠœȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž•ŽŸŠ—ȱŒ˜—Ž¡ȱ‘Ž—ȱ ȱ’—Ž—ȱ˜ȱŠ™™•¢ȱ™›’—Œ’™•Žœȱ˜ȱ honesty, diligence, impartiality, and obligations of care and responsibility to assist me to determine whether or not the conduct under consideration can be regarded as improper.

Misconduct in public office —ȱR v Quach, Supreme Court of Victoria, Court of Appeal (unreported 7 May 2010) Ž•’Œ‘ȱ ǰȱ ’‘ȱ ‘˜œŽȱ ›ŽŠœ˜—œȱ ‘Žȱ ˜‘Ž›ȱ –Ž–‹Ž›œȱ ˜ȱ ‘Žȱ ˜ž›ȱ Š›ŽŽǰȱ œŠ’ȱ ‘Žȱ Ž•Ž–Ž—œȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜ěŽ—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ–’œŒ˜—žŒȱ’—ȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ˜ĜŒŽȱŠ›ŽDZ

1. Šȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ˜ĜŒ’Š•Dz

2. ’—ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜ž›œŽȱ˜ȱ˜›ȱŒ˜——ŽŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ˜ĜŒŽDz

3. wilfully misconducts himself, by act or omission, for example, by wilfully neglecting or Š’•’—ȱ˜ȱ™Ž›˜›–ȱ‘’œȱž¢Dz

4. ’‘˜žȱ›ŽŠœ˜—Š‹•ŽȱŽ¡ŒžœŽȱ˜›ȱ“žœ’ęŒŠ’˜—DzȱŠ—

5. where such conduct is serious and meriting criminal punishment having regard to the ›Žœ™˜—œ’‹’•’’Žœȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽȱŠ—ȱ‘Žȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ‘˜•Ž›ǰȱ‘Žȱ’–™˜›Š—ŒŽȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ˜‹“ŽŒœȱ which they serve and the nature and extent of the departure from those objects.

ȱ’œȱŒ•ŽŠ›ȱ›˜–ȱ’œŒžœœ’˜—ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ“ž–Ž—ȱ‘ŠȱŠ‹žœŽȱ˜ȱ™˜ Ž›ȱȮȱŠŒžŠ•ȱŠ—ȱ’—Œ’Ž—Š•ȱ ȮȱŠĴŠŒ‘’—ȱ˜ȱŠ—ȱ˜ĜŒŽȱ’œȱŒŠ™Š‹•Žȱ˜ȱŒ˜—œ’ž’—ȱ–’œŒ˜—žŒǯ

—ȱ‘’œȱŒŠœŽǰȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ‘Ž•ȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ˜ĜŒŽȱŠœȱŠȱ™˜•’ŒŽȱ–Ž–‹Ž›ȱŠ—ȱŠ•œ˜ȱŠœȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱ Adviser. Although he was not acting as a police member at the time he worked as Šȱ ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱ Ÿ’œŽ›ǰȱ –’œŒ˜—žŒȱ ’—ȱ ™ž‹•’Œȱ ˜ĜŒŽȱ ’—ȱ ‘Šȱ •ŠĴŽ›ȱ ŒŠ™ŠŒ’¢ȱ ˜ž•ȱ also constitute serious misconduct under the Police Integrity Act 2008 and the Police Regulation Act 1958.

82 ™™Ž—’¡ȱ ˜ȱȮȱ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ response to the draft report

Mr Weston, through his legal counsel, provided a lengthy response to the draft report. The response begins with a repetition of a submission made at the commencement of ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ǯȱ‘Žȱœž‹–’œœ’˜—ȱ’œǰȱ˜›ȱŠ™™ŽŠ›œȱ˜ȱ‹Žǰȱ‘ŠȱŠœȱ’›ŽŒ˜›ǰȱ ˜•’ŒŽȱ —Ž›’¢ǰȱ ȱŠ–ȱ‹’ŠœŽȱŠŠ’—œȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ǰȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȱŠ—ȱ›ȱŠŸ’Žœǰȱ˜›ȱ‘Šȱ there is at least a perception of bias.

ȱ˜ȱ—˜ȱŠŒŒŽ™ȱ‘ŽœŽȱŠœœŽ›’˜—œǯȱ¢ȱž—Œ’˜—œȱŠ›Žȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’ŸŽȱ’—ȱ—Šž›Žǯȱ ȱŠ–ȱŽ—’•Žȱ to form views based on information obtained in the proper performance of my duties Šœȱ’›ŽŒ˜›ǯȱ ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ—ŽŸŽ›ȱ˜—Žȱ˜‘Ž› ’œŽǯ

›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱŠ•œ˜ȱŠ••ŽŽœȱ‘Šȱ–¢ȱŽ™ž¢ǰȱ›ȱŠž•ȱ ŽŸ˜Ÿ’Œȱ ‘˜ǰȱŠœȱŒ’—ȱ ’›ŽŒ˜›ǰȱŒ˜––Ž—ŒŽȱ‘’œȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ǰȱ’œȱŠȱȁŒ•˜œŽȱ›’Ž—Ȃȱ˜ȱ›ȱŸŽ›•Š—ǯȱ ȱŠ–ȱ œŠ’œęŽȱ‘Šȱ‘’œȱŠ••ŽŠ’˜—ȱ’œȱ ’‘˜žȱ˜ž—Š’˜—ǯȱ —ȱŠȱ›ŽŒŽ—ȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ‘Žȱ–‹žœ–Š—ȱ ˜ž—ȱ—˜ȱŽŸ’Ž—ŒŽȱ˜ȱŒ˜—Ě’Œȱ˜ȱ’—Ž›Žœǰȱ’–™›˜™Ž›ȱ–˜’ŸŽȱ˜›ȱŠ—¢ȱ˜‘Ž›ȱ’–™›˜™›’Ž¢ȱ ŠěŽŒ’—ȱ›ȱ ŽŸ˜Ÿ’ŒȂœȱŽŒ’œ’˜—ȱ˜ȱŒ˜––Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Žȱ’—ŸŽœ’Š’˜—ǯȱ8

˜–Žȱœ™ŽŒ’ęŒȱ™˜’—œȱ›Š’œŽȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱ’—Œ˜›™˜›ŠŽȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž™˜›ȱŠ—ȱ will not be repeated here.

The great majority of the response consists of a repetition of what Mr Weston said ž›’—ȱ‘’œȱ•Ž—‘¢ȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ȱǻž›’—ȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱȁ’œŒž›œ’ŸŽȂǰȱ ˜ȱ œŠ¢ȱ ‘Žȱ least). Mr Weston reiterates his opinion of Mr Overland and his concerns about the –Š—ŠŽ–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ’Œ˜›’Šȱ˜•’ŒŽǯȱ ŽȱŽ–™‘Šœ’œŽœȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱŠŒ’˜—œȱ‘Žȱ˜˜”ȱȮȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ‘Žȱ Œ˜—ŒŽŽœȱ Ž›Žȱ Šȱ ’–Žœȱ ’—Š™™›˜™›’ŠŽȱ Ȯȱ Ž›Žȱ –˜’ŸŠŽȱ ‹¢ȱ Šȱ Žœ’›Žȱ ˜ȱ ŠŸŠ—ŒŽȱ ‘Žȱ interests of Victoria Police and to serve the Government and the Victorian community. He emphasises that he was forthcomingȱŠȱ‘’œȱ ȱŽ¡Š–’—Š’˜—ȱǻ ‘’Œ‘ȱ’œȱŠŒ”—˜ •ŽŽǰȱ though it is not conceded that his evidence was always candid).

Mr Weston said he had no training and found himself in the middle of a crisis, under extreme pressure, with no support. Mr Weston said he routinely worked 12 hours a day, found the pace frenetic, was the sole adviser responsible for the police portfolio and the only point of contact for the media.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȂœȱŠœœŽ›’˜—ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ‘Šȱ—˜ȱ›Š’—’—ȱ’œȱ›ŽžŽȱ‹¢ȱ›ȱ ’—–Š›œ‘ȱ ‘˜ǰȱ’—ȱ‘’œȱ ›Žœ™˜—œŽȱ˜ȱŠȱ›Šȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ǰȱœ™ŽŒ’ęŒŠ••¢ȱ›ŽŽ››Žȱ˜ȱ›ȱŽœ˜—Ȃœȱ’—žŒ’˜—ȱ›Š’—’—ȱ ™›’˜›ȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜––Ž—ŒŽ–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱž’Žœȱ’—ȱ’—’œŽ›ȱ¢Š—Ȃœȱ˜ĜŒŽǯȱǻŽŽȱAppointment as Šȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›Ǽǯ

8 Ombudsman Victoria, October 2011 Investigation into the Office of Police Integrity’s handling of a Complaint

83 ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱ’œ™žŽœȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ Šœȱ™Š›ȱ˜ȱŠȱȁŒŠ–™Š’—ȂȱŠŠ’—œȱ‘Žȱ ˜›–Ž›ȱ ‘’Žȱ ˜––’œœ’˜—Ž›ǯȱ —ŽŽǰȱ ‘Žȱ ›Ž“ŽŒœȱ ‘Žȱ ŸŽ›¢ȱ ’ŽŠȱ ‘Šȱ ›ȱ ŸŽ›•Š—ȱ Šœȱœž‹“ŽŒŽȱ˜ȱ Š—ȱž—Š’›ȱŠĴŠŒ”ȱ’—ȱ‘Žȱ–Ž’Šǯȱ›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœŠ¢œȱ’ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ŠœȱŠȱȁŒŠ–™Š’—Ȃǰȱ’ȱ‹ŽŠ—ȱ Ž••ȱ ™›’˜›ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱŠ™™˜’—–Ž—ȱŠœȱŠȱ’—’œŽ›’Š•ȱĜŒŽ›ǯȱ

Mr Weston disputes parts of the responses and views of Mr Ryan and Mr Hindmarsh in the report but says he does not wish to use this response to correct the record of conversations and communications he had variously with Mr Ryan and Mr Hindmarsh.

Mr Weston disputes the characterisation of some of his conduct as misconduct. He says there were occasions where he was praised by Mr Hindmarsh for doing exactly what Mr Hindmarsh is reported as labelling ‘blatant misconduct’.

Mr Weston disputes that he breached his contract of employment, although Minister Ryan and Mr Hindmarsh are adamant that he did.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱŠŠ’—ȱŒ˜—Ž—œȱ‘Šȱ‘ŽȱŒ˜––’ĴŽȱ—˜ȱ˜ěŽ—ŒŽȱ˜›ȱ‘Šȱ‘Žȱ’œȱž’•¢ȱ˜ȱŠ—¢ȱ impropriety, misconduct or illegality.

›ȱŽœ˜—ȱœž‹–’œȱ‘Šȱ‘’œȱ›Ž™˜›ȱ’œȱž—‹Š•Š—ŒŽȱŠ—ȱž—Š’›ǰȱ ‘’Œ‘ȱ‘ŽȱŠĴ›’‹žŽœȱ˜ȱ  ȱ‹’Šœǯȱ

84 ™™Ž—’¡ȱ‘›ŽŽȱȮȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—ŽœȂȱ emails

Herald SunȱŗŞȱŽ™Ž–‹Ž›ǰȱŘŖŗŗȱŗŘDZŖŖ

‘THEY’VE MUCKED THIS UP BIG TIME’: SIR KEN JONES IN AN EMAIL TO WIFE

‘ŽœŽȱŠ›Žȱ ˜ȱŽ–Š’•œȱ’›ȱ Ž—ȱ ˜—Žœȱ ›˜ŽȱŠŽ›ȱ‘’œȱœŽŒ›Žȱ–ŽŽ’—ȱ ’‘ȱ‘Žȱ›Ž–’Ž›Ȃœȱ ”Ž¢ȱŠŸ’œŽ›ǰȱ’Œ‘ŠŽ•ȱ Š™Ž•ǯ

‘Žȱꛜȱ Šœȱ ›’ĴŽ—ȱ’—ȱŽ‹›žŠ›¢ǰȱŠ›ŽœœŽȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱ ’Žȱ Š¢ŽǰȱŠ—ȱ’œȱ™ž‹•’œ‘Žȱ’—ȱž••ǯ

‘ŽȱœŽŒ˜—ȱ’œȱŽ¡ŒŽ›™ȱ›˜–ȱŠ—ȱŽ–Š’•ȱ‘ŽȱœŽ—ȱ˜ȱŠȱœž™™˜›Ž›ȱ’—ȱ ž—Žǯ

EMAIL 1

FEBRUARY 2011

Kaye,

Last week I got a private approach from government. Was given Baillieu’s mobile number and  ˜ȱ˜ȱ‘’œȱœŠěǯȱ

ŽŒ’Žȱ–žŒ‘ȱ˜˜ȱ›’œ”¢ȱ˜ȱœ™ŽŠ”ȱ˜ȱȱ’›ŽŒȱœ˜ȱ ȱŒ˜—ŠŒŽȱ‘’œȱ›’‘ȱ‘Š—ȱ–Š—ȱȮȱŒ‘’Žȱ˜ȱœŠěȱȮȱ instead on Skype with the number I was given.

Met him the other night, he came here for 2 hours on Weds. I looked him up and he’s very powerful behind the scenes.

But I didn’t take to him at all for some reason. But clearly they are onto Overland. I gave him lots of facts about what is going on here.

I also made it clear that I [sic] wasn’t after Overland’s job and had told Overland that I was leaving in July before the election.

Next day (noon) Greg Davies told me that Ryan had just told him he knew about the meeting ‹žȱ’—Ȃȱ”—˜ ȱŠ‹˜žȱ‘ŽȱŠ™™›˜ŠŒ‘ȱ˜ȱ–ŽȱŠ—ȱ Šœȱ•’Ÿ’ȱ ’‘ȱ–ŽȱŠ—ȱ‘ŽȱœŠěŽ›ǯȱ

I was stunned. Don’t know exactly what was said between Greg and Ryan but whatever it was ›Žȱ˜•ȱ‘’–ȱ‘Šȱ’ȱ–¢ȱŒ˜—ꍮ—’Š•’¢ȱ Šœȱ‹›ŽŠŒ‘Žȱ ›Žȱ ˜ž•ȱ˜ȱ™ž‹•’Œȱ˜ȱŽŽ—ȱ–Žȱ‹’ȱ’–Žǯȱ

ȱ˜˜”ȱ’ȱ‘Šȱ¢Š—ȱ Šœȱ˜’—ȱ˜›ȱ–Žȱ˜›ȱ—˜ȱ˜’—ȱ˜ȱœ™ŽŠ”ȱ˜ȱ‘’–ȱꛜǰȱ‹žȱ‘Žȱ‘Šœȱ—ŽŸŽ›ȱ›’Žȱ˜ȱ speak to me and I had foolishly assumed he must have been in on the approach.

85 By now Ryan and Baillieu will have spoken about this and I don’t know what the fallout might be. I was obviously concerned at that point that this would get back to Overland through Ryan or his people as pay back to me.

ȱ‘Ž—ȱ˜ȱ’—ȱ˜žŒ‘ȱ ’‘ȱŠ’••’ŽžȂœȱŒ‘’Žȱ˜ȱœŠěȱǻŗŘǯřŖ’œ‘ǼȱŠ—ȱ•ŽȱŠȱ–ŽœœŠŽǯȱ ȱ˜˜”ȱ‘’–ȱ˜ŸŽ›ȱŞȱ hours to get back to me – a bad sign.

His tone was aloof /cool and he made it clear that he had told no one about the meeting – not plausible at all – so it must have got out from me or someone around me!

ž‹‹’œ‘ȱŠ—ȱ‘Žȱ”—˜ œȱ’ȱ’œǯȱ —ȱœ‘˜›ȱ‘’œȱ–ŽœœŠŽȱ˜ȱ–Žȱ Šœȱ‘’œȱ‘ŠœȱœžěŽȱž™ȱŠ—ȱ¢˜žȱŠ›Žȱ˜—ȱ your own.

He also said that he had not passed anything on that I had told him (lie) to anyone.

He was clearly protecting Baillieu at this point and will take the blame for meeting me if it blows up – he will also be saying that he believed that it was me approaching them and not the other way around. So much for a new start and integrity in government.

Some of the intervening 8 hours had been spent cooking this version of evnets [sic] up – and ’ȱ’ȱœž›ŠŒŽœȱ’ȱ ’••ȱ‹Žȱ‹Ž•’ŽŸŽȱ‹¢ȱ–Š—¢ǯȱ —ȱ‘Ž¢ȱŠ›Žȱ‘ŽȱŸ’Œ’–œȱ˜ȱ–¢ȱ‹’ĴŽ›—Žœœȱ’—ȱŠ••ȱ‘’œȱ‹žȱ didn’t fall for it.

ȱ ˜•ȱ ‘Ž–ȱ ȱ Šœȱ Š™™›˜ŠŒ‘Žȱ ’—ȱ Œ˜—ꍮ—ŒŽȱ ‹¢ȱ ‘’›ȱ ™Š›’Žœȱ Š—ȱ Šœ”Žȱ’ȱ ȱ ˜ž•ȱœ™ŽŠ”ȱ˜ȱ government and I very reluctantly agreed.

But it is certainly possible that there are well intentioned people between me and government who have implied to both sides simultaneously that the other is keen for a private meeting – leaving each side believing they are being courted by the other.

But I don’t think so. But it’s possible.

I made it very clear to him that I was very angry that senior people government didn’t speak to each other in advance of the meeting and that I wouldn’t take it lying down if I was lined up for this.

˜žȱŒŠ—ȱ’–Š’—Žȱ‘Žȱœ™’—dzȱȁdz‹’ĴŽ›ȱ ˜—Žœȱœ—ŽŠ”’—ȱ˜ěȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ˜ŸŽ›—–Ž—ȱ˜ȱ›¢ȱŠ—ȱŽȱ›’ȱ ˜ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ‹Ž‘’—ȱ‘’œȱ‹ŠŒ”dzȱ‹žȱ Žȱ ˜ž•—Ȃȱ•’œŽ—ȱ˜ȱ‘’–dzȱ Žȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ ž••ȱ Œ˜—ꍮ—ŒŽȱ ’—ȱ Overland etc.’

That said I can guarantee that my indignation is being taken seriously and that they will be very unhappy at the prospect of this coming out.

‘Ž¢ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ–žŒ”Žȱ‘’œȱž™ȱ‹’ȱ’–Žǯȱ˜ȱ‘’—”ȱ‘ŠȱŠ’••’ŽžȂœȱœŠěȱ’—ȂȱŽ••ȱ¢Š—ȱ‘Šȱ‘’œȱ Šœȱ ‘Š™™Ž—’—ǵȱĴŽ›•¢ȱ’—Œ˜–™ŽŽ—ǯȱ

But back in 2007 there were public spats between Ryan and Baillieu – so the relationship may be bad in any event.

‘’œȱœžěȱž™ȱŒ˜ž•ȱŽŠœ’•¢ȱ™žœ‘ȱ¢Š—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›•Š—ȱ˜Ž‘Ž›ȱŠŠ’—œȱ–ŽǯȱĴŽ›•¢ȱœž™’ǯȱ

86 So not good but I don’t [sic] ‘’—”ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ŠœȱŠ—¢ȱ’—Ž—’˜—ȱ˜ȱę¡ȱ–Žȱž™ǰȱ‹žȱ‹ŽŒŠžœŽȱ‘Ž›Žȱ‘Šœȱ —˜ ȱ‹ŽŽ—ȱŠȱ›˜ ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ¢Š—ȱŠ—ȱ˜‘Ž›œȱ ȱŒ˜ž•ȱŽ—ȱž™ȱŽĴ’—ȱ‹ž›—Žǯȱ

If they have told Overland then I am toast. No sign of that yet. Greg came over to see me very late Thursday night to reassure me that they would campaign for me if it got out.

I told him that the longer I hang around the more likely it is that it will get back to Overland and once he confronts me with it I will have lost the high ground and be shown out – through the usual spin – as a back stabber.

Also the tracks will be covered and stories got straight. Its very high risk. Loads of people would be sympathetic to him and be critical of me for not being open.

Read this over a few time and we can speak.

EMAIL 2

JUNE 2011

If trying to get responsible people in government (having failed to get OPI interested) alerted to Œ˜ŸŽ›Ȭž™œȦœžěȬž™œȦ–ž›Ž›œȱ’œȱŠȱŒ›’–Žȱ‘Ž—ȱ ȱŠ–ȱž’•¢ǯȱ

MK needs to be very careful. He was vocal in his criticism of Overland that night, who knows I might have recorded him. I refused to go down that road and kept the discussion on the issues.

But as I said I didn’t click with him and now we know why.

87