Offi ce of Public Prosecutions OPP – making a difference. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS OFFICE OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS COMMITTEE FOR PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS ANNUAL REPORT 2006/07 Offi ce of Public Prosecutions 565 Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Phone No: (03) 9603 7666 Fax No: (03) 9603 7430 www.opp.vic.gov.au Annual Report 2006/07 The 2006/07 Annual Report presents a summary of the performance of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Offi ce of Public Prosecutions and the Committee for Public Prosecutions over the 2006/07 fi nancial year. Full fi nancial statements for the Offi ce of Public Prosecutions are provided in this report. Additional information about the Offi ce of Public Prosecutions can be viewed at: www.opp.vic.gov.au Production details Development Offi ce of Public Prosecutions 565 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Writing and editorial services Jacqueline Flitcroft Curtis Greenwood Design and production X2 Design Contents Message from the Director of Public Prosecutions 4 Message from the Solicitor for Public Prosecutions 5 Highlights: making a difference in 2006/07 6 ABOUT THE OPP 9 What we do 10 Who we are 16 OUR PERFORMANCE 21 Our prosecutions performance in 2006/07 22 Delivering a high quality and effective prosecution service 24 Pioneering innovative approaches to prosecutions 34 Reducing delays in the criminal justice system 38 Providing better support for victims and witnesses 41 Infl uencing policy and law reform 45 Strengthening corporate governance and capability 48 Building a high performing workplace and becoming an employer of choice 52 OUR FUTURE CHALLENGES 55 Looking ahead 56 FINANCIAL REPORT* 59 APPENDICES* 81 *These sections are available on CDROM in some versions of this report OPP ANNUAL REPORT 2006/07 PAGE 3 Introduction Message from the Director of Public Prosecutions assault are treated more sensitively within the area of Confi scations – where we also recorded Working in public prosecutions in criminal justice system. It is a very important signifi cant successes in 2006/07 in confi scating Victoria continues to be a challenging, initiative and one that will make Victoria a property and assets obtained through crime. exciting and rewarding experience. national leader in the prosecution of sex Despite these growing pressures, our Crown offences. Prosecutors have continued to demonstrate tremendous productivity, managing higher Over the past year, the dedicated and Over the year, we also renewed and workloads and more complex cases effi ciently professional people who work with the strengthened our support for victims of and professionally. Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and crime. This is an area of growing signifi cance within the Offi ce of Public Prosecutions (OPP) for prosecution services around the world Throughout 2006/07, we have continued to have worked harder than ever to ensure that – and Victoria is no exception. We are work with the Attorney-General and the Victoria’s criminal justice system operates fairly strongly committed to implementing the Department of Justice to implement the and effi ciently – serving the interests of those Victims’ Charter introduced by the Victorian Victorian Government’s Justice Statement. involved in matters before our courts, as well Government in 2006 and have taken action to In particular, we are taking action to reduce as delivering substantial benefi ts to the wider ensure that our procedures and practices fully delays within the criminal justice system, Victorian community. consider the needs and concerns of victims backed by additional resources provided and witnesses of crime as they go through the by the government. We are examining and The challenges facing prosecutors in the court process. reforming our internal practices to assist in the 21st century are signifi cant and complex. more streamlined management of cases and These challenges include exploring new ways We also continue to listen to the concerns we are working with Victoria Police, the courts to reduce delays across the criminal justice and expectations of the Victorian community and other stakeholders to resolve cases system, handling increasingly complex cases, in relation to the adequacy of sentences for earlier. We recognise the value and fairness in providing much better support to victims serious offences. In 2006/07, I again reviewed resolving cases quickly and appropriately and and witnesses, moving into new areas of every sentence in cases run by the OPP on will continue to show leadership in this area legal practice and managing the increasing my behalf and made a record number of over the coming year. use of technology in the preparation and appeals against sentence. Of the appeals heard conduct of cases. Throughout 2006/07, I have by the Court of Appeal, more than half were I thank the staff of the OPP and the Crown worked together with the Solicitor for Public allowed, resulting in longer sentences being Prosecutors for another year of outstanding Prosecutions and the Chief Crown Prosecutor imposed for a range of offences including service. Their dedication, integrity and to ensure that we have the capability to meet armed robbery, serious assaults, sex offences commitment are remarkable. I am sure that these challenges and continue to deliver a high and culpable driving. they will rise to meet the challenges ahead quality prosecution service. and continue to provide the highest standard During 2006/07, we recorded signifi cant of service to myself as Director of Public During the year, we made some highly achievements in prosecuting major cases Prosecutions, to the Victorian courts and to the signifi cant and potentially far-reaching involving police corruption and organised advancement of a strong and fair justice system. changes in our approach to prosecutions. We crime. Two Crown Prosecutors and three OPP established a new Specialist Sex Offences solicitors received Citizen Commendations Unit within the OPP to ensure the more from the Chief Commissioner of Police for their effective and sensitive prosecution of sex outstanding work in assisting the Purana Task offences. The unit represents an entirely new Force investigating gangland activity, while the way of conducting prosecutions in Victoria, Offi ce of Police Integrity has commended OPP bringing together specialist crown prosecutors, staff for their work with the Ceja Task Force PAUL COGHLAN QC solicitors and support staff in one central investigating police corruption. Director of Public Prosecutions location. This team approach aims to build These major, resource-intensive investigations expertise in the area of sex offences, deliver have placed additional demands on our services, consistency in the way these offences are as has our growing practice in the relatively new prosecuted and ensure that victims of sexual Note: This message comprises the 2006/07 Annual Report of the Director of Public Prosecutions in accordance with section 12 of the Public Prosecutions Act 1994 PAGE 4 Introduction Message from the Solicitor for Public Prosecutions We completed a major organisational review work we do is often diffi cult, stressful and At the Offi ce of Public Prosecutions, we – the fi rst time in 20 years that Victoria’s demanding and our staff deserve the best are very conscious of our obligations prosecutions service has conducted its own working environment that we can provide, to victims of crime and the Victorian review. A Blueprint for Effective, Effi cient and with opportunities for part-time work, for community. We believe strongly that our Economical Prosecutions recommended achieving a healthier work-life balance and for work is making a difference and that we signifi cant reforms to the OPP’s legal and pursuing interesting and rewarding careers are delivering substantial and important administrative functions, management within prosecutions. benefi ts to the Victorian community. practices and offi ce systems. We have The changes we are making will bring new commenced many of these reforms and The Office of Public Prosecutions challenges and diffi culties – but they are also will continue to implement the review’s has responsibility for providing an exciting. I have every confi dence that these recommendations over the next 12 months. independent, timely and effective changes will not only improve our services, prosecutions service to the Director of By changing the way we operate, we plan to but also enhance the skills, reputation and Public Prosecutions on behalf of the increase our productivity and effi ciency, make the career prospects of our staff. They will also Victorian community. In meeting that best use of the strengths and skills of our staff, and give the OPP an opportunity to become one responsibility, the OPP endeavours to further improve the value of our contribution to of the most advanced and innovative public improve the fair and efficient operation of the criminal justice system in Victoria. prosecution services in the world. Victoria’s criminal justice system, ensure that victims of crime are treated with We also commenced reviewing and renewing On behalf of the staff of the OPP, I thank respect and dignity, and deliver a high our internal practices and procedures to Victoria Police, the courts, the Department quality prosecutions service in which streamline our management of cases and of Justice and other agencies who work Victorians have trust and confidence. ensure continuity in the handling of cases by with us on a daily basis within the criminal our solicitors. We began a full review of our justice system. I also thank Paul Coghlan QC briefi ng practices to ensure that we adopt a and Jeremy Rapke QC for their leadership In 2006/07, we continued to be in the best practice approach in our engagement in maintaining the highest of standards forefront of efforts to reduce delays across with the Victorian Bar. We have also reviewed in Victoria’s prosecutions service. Most the criminal justice system. We improved and restructured key functions within the importantly, I thank the staff of the OPP.