some of the operations such as Operation SPECIAL MINISTER OF STATE Lavender and the recent case of the SENATOR MICHAEL TATE alleged importation of the heroin in the soccer balls, there is an impact which TALKS TO PHILIP CASTLE brings the work of the AFP to the fore. ‘I don’t think we have to accept that crime on the scale we see it has to be with us at all. In fact I chaired the Senate committee which established the leg­ islative framework for the National Crime Authority and I have always believed that criminal activity needs to be combatted in a very strong and cooperative way. This needs to be done in a sophisticated way using all the resources and combined weight of the various law enforcement agencies. In­ sofar as the general structure we devised for the NCA is beginning to work then my hopes have been vindicated. But I think we have to not only target par­ ticular criminals but also to target par­ ticular criminal activities and put resour­ ces into that. ‘I understand that some of the AFP officers and others see the fight as a war. Some might see it as being lost. But in my few weeks coming into this office I have been astounded at the amount of excellent work being done by the AFP, the excellent detective work I see as it crosses my desk. As you know I see every warrant to do with telecommunications interceptions for example and the arrests that flow from that and the excellence of the presentation of evidence which quite often leads to no contest from the ac­ cused. I look at it from a lawyer’s point of view but also from the public’s point of view and the results are coming through. ‘What I want to do is to create a society ‘I believe that with the resources that N the 16th of February the Govern­ and help create a society with other are being brought to bear will enable the ment announced that Senator Mi­ Australians of course where the sort of war to be won. What struck me walking Ochael Tate would be appointed Special values in which I believe in can prosper around at lunchtime at the Barton Five Minister of State with the move of Mr where families and households can make area was the youth of the people there Mick Young to become the Minister of decisions to live according to their con­ and their enthusiasm and I would hope Immigration and Ethnic Affairs. victions and to do that we have to take that with the experience that they will Senator Tate, 41, was bom in Tas­ away the spectre of criminals which gain in the next few years that you have mania and has completed a Bachelor of presently haunt a lot of households. The there a very able and effective law Laws from the University of Tasmania, criminals are only too ready to prey on enforcing group, who with sufficient where he later lectured from 1972 to 1978 and devour their young. I hope to be in resource back-up, can use their talents in and was the Dean of the Faculty from the forefront of doing something about a very effective way. 1977 to 1978. He also took a Master of that. ‘The fact is that we are introducing Arts in Theology from Oxford Univer­ ‘No criminal figure will be immune new legislation to disrupt organised sity. He is the president of the from investigation or prosecution. I don’t crime such as the confiscation of assets Parliamentary Christian Fellowship. He believe there are any untouchables in the which is more than a simple arrest and was first elected to the Senate for Tas­ Australian criminal scene anymore. conviction but that we can actually strip mania in 1977 and was re-elected in 1983. Criminal figures and organisations know these people of their assets which will He takes the place in the Ministry now that they are likely to be targetted. It hurt them even more. This also satisfies a vacated by Senator Don Grimes. Until has been shown already in some of the sense within the community that these now, Senator Tate has become well- arrests and charges, but more than that, I people should not profit from their known in Parliament for his work in think it’s the sense of being under nefarious deeds. committees particularly on Con­ surveillance and being in jeopardy that is ‘It’s one thing to jail someone for three stitutional and Legal Affairs. Last month a completely new factor in the Australian years but it’s somewhat empty if at the Senator Tate spoke about his role as the underworld. end of three years they can enjoy the Minister responsible for the Australian ‘Insofar as it is fulfilled I think Aus­ fruits of their crime. Federal Police. tralian society is beginning to see the ‘There are two different elements for AFP in a very good light. Just look at the AFP: there are the responsibilities in 2 Platypus, April 1987 the ACT — community policing and its third party is proper. But judging from ‘It’s essential to have this of course. importance to the ACT can’t be under­ the notification of warrants that pass We won’t win the war against crime stated to provide effective policing — across my desk the police work support­ without this collaboration. I’m sure that and then there is the charter given by ing the applications is very good and I’m is why we are seeing the change that is Government to the AFP by the setting of very pleased that it satisfies the judge. I coming about.’ its priority list. This must remain our think that is very healthy. I mean we guiding light, that is drugs, organised don’t want a crime-free society at the crime and so on. price of no restraints of police powers. I don’t want to be seen to be putting ‘The AFP has a remarkable record of Are you going to become a new factor the concerns of the ACT to one side by integrity. It’s a clean force. We need to against Australia’s major criminals? emphasising the national role of the emphasise this more and get it into the AFP. I live in the community and I live public arena that this is an elite police in Narrabundah and I’m part of a Neigh­ force which so far has not had the taint of bourhood Watch area. In fact I have a corruption even to be dispelled about it. ‘Yes, but I don’t want in answering to little Neighbourhood Watch card dis­ ‘And of course under the Commis­ throw any reflection on my immediate played on the door and on the back sioner, Major General Grey, there is a predecessor Mr Mick Young who did a window. As I understand it those areas good reason for confidence in a force pretty good job in securing resources that have had Neighbourhood Watch for with him in command who demands the particularly for the AFP and in the three twelve months or more have shown a highest levels of propriety. Sometimes it year plan in which we have given an extra remarkable decrease in burglaries with a takes a remarkable Commissioner to $10 million to upgrade the personnel drop of more than 25 per cent. I’m very create such a force. I think with Major resources. I think that is a tribute to the conscious of the good policing practices General Grey you not only have some one fact that certainly Mick Young took the in the ACT where I spend a good portion who can engender a greater deal of AFP’s role very seriously. of my life. I regard that as an important loyalty within the AFP but present a ‘I hope they will find that I’m the part of my portfolio: the policing of the public image of incorruptability and same. I was thrilled to take it over. My ACT’ firmness. I think it is in the leadership history in the Senate has shown that I’m that the results are seen and then in its prepared to stand up and be firm when it image. This new image will penetrate the comes to dealing with the evidence. If the Are you a bit overwhelmed with the general public’s consciousness. evidence is presented to me then I’m extent of the crime problem facing the prepared to take a stand whatever the AFP? political cost. Yes this was shown with Mr Justice Murphy but also with my ‘I haven’t received briefings to such a work on the Parliamentary Committees. depth yet to fully indicate. But I have AFP members would be aware that I said right from the beginning that the chaired many committees which ex­ awareness of possible targets is going to amined the ‘Age tapes’ and then further be one of the frustrations. But priorities allegations against Mr Justice Murphy. I have to be set and I understand that the came to conclusions based on an honest way these are now set by the AFP are the assessment on that which was presented envy of other police forces in Australia by way of evidence to those committees. and even overseas. This is going to I then took the political consequences provide a model for other agencies and which at the time put me in jeopardy of departments in the Commonwealth.’ political oblivion.