Three years on from the release of the final report of the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants, I am pleased to provide my third progress report to Parliament.

Under the Police Informants Royal Commission Implementation Monitor Act 2021 (Implementation Monitor Act), I am required to provide my report to Parliament by 30 November each year.

Since the Commission delivered its final report on 30 November 2020, the Victorian Government has been working hard to achieve its commitment to deliver each of the recommendations directed to it, and to support the delivery of all the Commission’s 111 recommendations.

As of September 2023, government has delivered in full 49 of the 55 recommendations directed to it, including all of its recommendations with three-, six-, and 12-month timeframes, and all but four recommendations with a set timeframe.

Overall, 90 of the 111 recommendations have been delivered by responsible agencies, and there is continuing progress to deliver the remaining recommendations.

This is my third progress report, which covers the period from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023. Recommendations with an indicative two-year implementation timeframe fall within this reporting period. For recommendations with longer delivery timeframes, I have reported on implementation progress up to September 2023.

Significant achievements of the past year include government delivering an additional 26 recommendations with a two-year timeframe. These recommendations relate to the development of human source management legislation and the systemic review of police oversight.

Work is ongoing to deliver the final remaining recommendations, including to address the Commission’s concerns regarding the process for resolving public interest immunity claims and the ability to progress future inquiries in an effective, timely and transparent manner.

As I outlined in my previous report, government’s approach to implementing the Commission’s recommendations has been informed by engagement with the community on issues of public importance. This has included significant community consultation in relation to the systemic review of police oversight and legislative recommendations.

During this past year, the cross-agency Implementation Taskforce has continued to play a central role in coordinating the delivery of recommendations, and has increasingly turned its attention to ensuring that reforms delivered in response to the Commission’s recommendations are effectively operationalised and have an enduring impact.

Significant delivery of recommendations has been achieved in the reporting period and an impressive program of work is well underway to finalise delivery of the Commission’s remaining recommendations. I thank all those involved in this important work.

Jaclyn Symes MP
Attorney-General

Terms

Commission

Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Continuing Professional Development obligations are intended to ensure that lawyers are continually updating and improving their skills and knowledge to maintain the quality of the service expected by, and delivered to, their clients and the community.

Human source

Under the Human Source Management Bill, a human source is a person Victoria Police has registered to confidentially provide information or assistance to police to assist with a criminal investigation. A human source is also referred to as a police ‘informer’ or ‘informant’.

Human Source Management Act 2023 (Human Source Management Act)

Legislation that delivers 25 Commission recommendations (recommendations 8-18, 44-56 and 58) for the Victorian Government to implement legislation for registration, use, management and external oversight of Victoria Police’s human sources. Received Royal Assent on 16 May 2023 and will commence on 30 September 2024.

Implementation Monitor

The Implementation Monitor monitors progress and adequacy of implementation of the Commission’s recommendations by responsible agencies. The Implementation Monitor reports annually to the Attorney-General on progress and adequacy of implementation and provides advice to the Attorney-General regarding what further measures may be taken to ensure that recommendations are implemented in full.

Implementation Taskforce

The administrative taskforce chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Justice and Community Safety and constituted by senior representatives of each Victorian agency responsible for implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.

Inquiries Act 2014 (Inquiries Act)

The legislation that governs the establishment and conduct of inquiries, including royal commissions, in Victoria.

Legal Profession Uniform Law (Uniform Law)

The common regulatory framework, governing legal professional practice in Victoria, New South Wales, and Western Australia, outlined in schedule 1 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014.

Law Council of Australia (LCA)

An association of law societies and bar associations from the states and territories of Australia, and the peak body representing the legal profession in Australia.

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

The peak representative body for the legal profession in Victoria and provides key services such as legal CPD, a legal bookshop and library, and legal costing services.

Legal Services Council (LSC)

The LSC and Commissioner for Uniform Legal Services Regulation oversee the implementation of the Legal Profession Uniform Law scheme.

Police Informants Royal Commission Implementation Monitor Act 2021 (Implementation Monitor Act)

Establishes the Implementation Monitor and provides the functions, powers and duties of the Implementation Monitor.

Public interest immunity (PII)

A rule of evidence in court proceedings and inquiries. The rule states relevant evidence is not to be disclosed where disclosure would damage the public interest and the need to avoid damage outweighs a person’s right to have all the relevant evidence made available to them.

Responsible or lead agency

An entity responsible for implementing the Commission’s recommendation.

Special Investigator Act 2021 (Special Investigator Act)

Legislation that established the Office of the Special Investigator to investigate potential criminal conduct and breaches of discipline arising from the use by Victoria Police of Ms Nicola Gobbo as a human source.

Special Investigator Repeal Bill 2023 (Special Investigator Repeal Bill)

A Bill to abolish the Office of the Special Investigator, that passed both Houses of Parliament and received Royal Assent on 8 November 2023.

Victorian Bar Council (Victorian Bar)

Manages the activities of the Bar supported by a group of committees for specific interest groups and areas of the Bar's administration.

Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO)

An administrative office that provides legal services for the State and in the State's interests, acting for the Executive Government of the State, and with the Victorian Government Solicitor being the lawyer on the record in court proceedings.

Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner (VLSB+C)

Independent statutory authorities responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in Victoria.

The Victorian Government remains committed to supporting the effective and transparent implementation of the Commission’s remaining recommendations through independent monitoring and reporting on progress and delivery of recommendations.

The Implementation Monitor, Sir David Carruthers, has continued to play a critical role in this oversight and reporting framework, providing independent advice to responsible agencies and government on implementation issues. The Victorian Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to independent oversight provided by the Implementation Monitor, with additional funding provided to support the role of the Implementation Monitor as part of the 2023-24 State Budget.

Throughout this reporting period, the Implementation Monitor has continued to work closely with government and other responsible agencies to oversee the implementation of recommendations and ensure the Commission’s intended outcomes are achieved.

According to the Implementation Monitor Act, the Implementation Monitor is required to report annually to the Attorney-General on the progress of responsible agencies in implementing the Commission’s recommendations. The Implementation Monitor’s report includes the Implementation Monitor’s assessment of the adequacy of action taken and provides advice to the Attorney-General on further measures that may be required to ensure that recommendations are fully implemented.

The Attorney-General is, in turn, required to prepare an annual progress report on the implementation of recommendations, to be provided to Parliament by 30 November each year.

The progress reports build on the Victorian Government’s detailed response to the Commission’s final report, released in May 2021, which outlined the government’s approach to implementation of the recommendations.

The first progress report was tabled on 30 November 2021 covering the period from 30 November 2020, when the Commission delivered its final report, to 30 June 2021. The second progress report was tabled on 20 December 2022, covering the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.

This report marks the third annual progress report provided to Parliament.

Implementation Monitor’s 2022-23 report

The Implementation Monitor provided his third Implementation Report to the Attorney-General in September 2023.

The Implementation Monitor’s third Implementation Report covers the period from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023, focusing on the Implementation Monitor’s assessment of progress towards implementing recommendations that were given a two-year indicative implementation timeframe by the Commission from the delivery of the Commission’s final report (i.e by 30 November 2022).

The Implementation Monitor advised the Attorney-General that, on his assessment, the majority of the 35 recommendations with a two-year timeframe had been fully delivered. Only nine such recommendations had not, in the Implementation Monitor’s view, been delivered to their full intention.

Overall, the Implementation Monitor indicated that this reporting period had seen the delivery of significant reform, including:

• Passage of the Human Source Management Act, which provides a legislative framework for Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources and delivers twenty-five recommendations (recommendation 8-18, 44-56, 58)
• Government continued work to consider reform options following the systemic review of police oversight in 2022 (recommendation 61)
• Two independent reviews by Victoria Police to deliver the first limb of recommendation 72 (training and support for police officers regarding their disclosure obligations) and recommendation 73 (dedicated disclosure officer initiative). Full delivery of these recommendations will be dependent on further reviews, which are required within five years of the initial reviews.

Of the nine recommendations the Implementation Monitor considered had not been delivered to their full intention, the Implementation Monitor noted the following:

• Operational and resourcing constraints experienced by Victoria Police have meant delivery of the centralised organisational model for the registration, use and management of human sources has been delayed (recommendation 26-29). The Implementation Monitor will continue to work closely with Victoria Police to help deliver these recommendations.
• Work on ensuring the Public Interest Monitor (PIM) and Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) can securely share information relevant to their respective legislative functions regarding Victoria Police’s use and management of human sources (recommendation 59), is contingent on the making of regulations and other legislative amendments ahead of commencement of the Human Source Management Act.
• Work by Government to ensure PIM, IBAC and Victoria Police are appropriately funded and resourced to undertake legislative functions under the Human Source Management Act (recommendation 60), is contingent on additional work on regulations and commencement of the Human Source Management Act in September 2024. The Implementation Monitor will keep the progress of recommendations 59 and 60 under close review.
• Introducing mandatory reporting and regulation of CPD requirements (recommendation 85-87), has faced complexities due to legal profession regulation being governed by a uniform scheme which operates in multiple jurisdictions.
  
  In relation to recommendation 86, the Implementation Monitor noted that in consultation with stakeholders, the government developed a model for mandatory reporting of suspected misconduct. The Implementation Monitor also noted delivery of recommendation 87 is contingent on recommendation 86, as it requires the preparation of harmonised guidance following the introduction of the mandatory reporting.
  
  Further commentary on the status of these recommendations is at section 2.2 below.

The Implementation Monitor’s report also revisited six recommendations that fell within the previous reporting period that had previously been assessed as not fully implemented. The Implementation Monitor advised the Attorney-General that, on his assessment, two of those six recommendations had now been delivered (recommendation 4 and 76):

• Recommendation 4 required Victoria Police to take steps to ensure that its organisational and executive structure enables the role of Executive Director, Legal Services, to provide independent legal advice to Executive Command and to consider whether a maximum time limit should be placed on how long a person may spend in this role.
  
  As outlined in my previous reports, Victoria Police made organisational changes within Victoria Police’s executive structure in 2021, to ensure the independence of the advice provided by the Executive Director, Legal Services.
  
  The Implementation Monitor considered full implementation of this recommendation was contingent on additional safeguards requiring legal advice to be sought prior to the registration of certain high risk human sources, which have been included in the Human Source Management Act.
  
• Recommendation 76 required the preparation and distribution of communications to restore and promote public and client confidence in the legal profession. VLSB+C led the launch of the ‘Your Right to Ask’ campaign, which was officially launched on 18 April 2023 and ran until the end of June 2023.

Only four recommendations due to be delivered in previous reporting periods had not, in the Implementation Monitor’s view, been delivered to their full intention (recommendations 78, 79, 82 and 91). The Implementation Monitor noted:

• Progress continues in relation to changes to the Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules and commentary in relation to the duty of confidentiality and maintaining appropriate professional boundaries (recommendation 78, 79 and 82). The Implementation Monitor commended VLSB+C who worked on supportive resources and published guidance on professional boundaries on its website in June 2023 and will continue to work with the VLSB+C to ensure the benefit of these recommendations is realised.
• That following consultation with stakeholders, work is underway to develop whole-of-government administrative guidance on PII claims for inquiries and litigation more generally, rather than introducing reforms to address the application of PII under the Inquiries Act in isolation. This approach seeks to address the intent of the recommendation, to provide consistency and transparency in the management of PII claims across government. The Implementation Monitor welcomed further detail and consultation on the proposed guidance in due course. (recommendation 91).

The report also included commentary on the decommissioning of the Office of the Special Investigator, including the appointment of a new Special Investigator to oversee the decommissioning of the Office of the Special Investigator. The report notes that eleven recommendations relating to the establishment of the Office of the Special Investigator were considered delivered when the Special Investigator Act commenced on 1 December 2021 (recommendation 1, 3, 92-99 and 103). The report emphasises that the Implementation Monitor considers that due process has been carried out with respect to the Commission’s recommendations about investigation of criminal offences. In addition, that the Implementation Monitor accepted the advice of the former Special Investigator in relation to the rationale for not proceeding with disciplinary investigations and noted that sufficient investigation was undertaken to acquit the recommendation (recommendation 101).

Recommendations with a 3 month timeframe

Recommendations with a 6 month timeframe

Recommendations with a 12 month timeframe

Recommendations with an 18 month timeframe

Recommendations with a 2 year timeframe

Recommendations with a 2 and 7 year timeframe

Work undertaken to deliver recommendations highlighted in the Implementation Monitor’s report

The Implementation Monitor has noted significant work undertaken this reporting period to implement the Commission’s recommendations with a two-year implementation timeframe. As of 30 June 2023, the Implementation Monitor assessed only nine recommendations as not having been implemented in full during this reporting period, along with four recommendations from the previous reporting period. The Implementation Monitor also noted the decision by government to wind down the Office of the Special Investigator, and implications for recommendations 100 and 101, which have no set timeframe.

The following details the steps taken to implement these recommendations and an update as to the status of implementation, as of September 2023.

Recommendation 26-29 require Victoria Police to establish a centralised organisational model for the registration, use and management of human sources. Operational and resourcing constraints experienced by Victoria Police have led to delay in implementation of this recommendation. Victoria Police continues to plan for a phased implementation of a centralised model for human source management.

Recommendation 59 requires the PIM and IBAC to implement appropriate security protocols and infrastructure to securely receive, share, store and dispose of sensitive human source information. Delivery of this recommendation will be supported by the introduction of regulations under the Human Source Management Act, which the Victorian Government is currently consulting on.

Recommendation 60 requires the PIM and IBAC to be appropriately funded and resourced to undertake their additional legislative functions related to oversight of the use of human sources. These requirements will be determined during development of regulations under Human Source Management Act.

Recommendations 78, 79 and 82 are directed to the LSC, LCA and Australian Bar Association and relate to updates to the Solicitors’ Conduct Rules and commentary. The Victorian Government is continuing to work with these bodies to encourage implementation of these recommendations.

Recommendation 85 required the LCA, LSC, and Australian Bar Association to work together to harmonise the powers held by local regulatory authorities through the Solicitors’ CPD Rules. The recommendation provides that if harmonisation is not achieved within 12 months, the Victorian Government has a further 12-months to provide the Victorian regulatory authority with increased powers.

As the LSC, LCA and ABA did not implement the recommendation within the stipulated timeframe, the second part of this recommendation has been triggered. The government has engaged with participant jurisdictions on a proposed model.

Recommendation 86 requires the Victorian Government to pursue an amendment to the Legal Profession Uniform Law to introduce a mandatory requirement for lawyers to report the suspected misconduct of other lawyers. If the amendment is not introduced into the Legal Profession Uniform Law within 12 months, the Commission recommended the Victorian Government introduce the requirement in Victoria, within a further 12-months.

Although uniform implementation was not achieved in the initial 12 months, the government, in consultation with stakeholders has developed a model for the reforms and engaged with the LSC and other participating jurisdictions seeking uniform implementation of the mandatory reporting requirement. Government continues to consider the best way of progressing this recommendation.

Recommendation 87 requires VLSB+C, the Victorian Bar and the LIV, to prepare harmonised guidance and CPD activities for the legal profession to accompany and support the introduction of a mandatory reporting requirement. Planning in relation to this guidance has commenced, and further consultation will occur once recommendation 86 has been finalised.

Recommendation 91 requires the Victorian Government to amend the Inquiries Act to remove the ability of a person to refuse or fail to comply with a notice or requirement from a Royal Commission on the grounds of PII, within 18 months.

The government has consulted broadly on its proposed approach to implementing this recommendation and following feedback is developing whole-of-government administrative guidance on PII claims for inquiries and litigation more generally, rather than introducing reforms to address the application of PII under the Inquiries Act in isolation. Further consultation with relevant stakeholders is ongoing.

As outlined above, government is continuing to pursue its approach to implementing reforms to achieve the Commission’s intent, recognising the broad range of potential matters that may be the subject of royal commissions, other forms of inquiry, litigation and the evolving nature of PII in the common law.

Recommendations 100 and 101 require the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police to ensure that a suitably qualified, independent authorised person, who is not a police officer, determines any disciplinary charges laid by the Special Investigator. Also, that the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police reports to the Special Investigator and Implementation Monitor on the outcome of any disciplinary proceedings arising from the Special Investigator’s investigation of current Victoria Police officers.

The Special Investigator Repeal Bill, which will decommission the Office of the Special Investigator, passed both Houses of Parliament and received Royal Assent on 8 November 2023. Recommendations 100 and 101 will be closed at the time the Special Investigator Repeal Act 2023 commences.

Since the Commission handed down its final report on 30 November 2020, the Victorian Government has been working hard to achieve its commitment to deliver each of the recommendations directed to it, and to support the delivery of all the Commission’s 111 recommendations.
All recommendations directed to government with indicative implementation timeframes of three-, six- and 12-months have been delivered.
Almost all recommendations with a two-year indicative implementation timeframe have been delivered (26 of 29) and significant progress made towards delivering all remaining recommendations.

Delivery of recommendations has involved the development of significant and landmark reforms. The Human Source Management Act received Royal Assent on 16 May 2023 and will commence operation on 30 September 2024. The legislation will provide a framework for the registration, use, management and external oversight of Victoria Police’s human sources. This legislation is one of the most significant reforms arising from the Commission’s inquiries, and will help to prevent the events that led to the Commission from occurring again.

The Implementation Monitor has assessed all but three recommendations directed to Government with a two-year timeframe as having been acquitted in full. Of the three outstanding recommendations, the Implementation Monitor has noted inter-jurisdictional constraints and complexities have caused delays in progressing two of these recommendations and the remaining recommendation is contingent on the making of regulations ahead of commencement of the Human Source Management Act.

Overall, of the 111 recommendations made by the Commission, 90 have been delivered. In this reporting period, the Victorian Government has continued to work closely with agencies responsible for delivery of recommendations through the Implementation Taskforce to coordinate and monitor the effective delivery of all recommendations. Given the substantial progress to deliver most of the recommendations, the Implementation Taskforce will no longer meet on a periodic basis, however engagement between agencies and the Implementation Monitor will continue, to ensure transparent and coordinated delivery of remaining recommendations.

Recommendations directed to the Victorian Government with a two-year timeframe

Most recommendations directed to the Victorian Government with a two-year indicative timeframe have been delivered, with only three outstanding.

As foreshadowed in last year’s report, the Human Source Management Act received Royal Assent on 16 May 2023 and will commence operation on 30 September 2024 (recommendations 8-18, 44-56 and 58).

This legislation is the first of its kind in Australia, providing a clear framework for police to obtain and use information from human sources, with appropriate protections to manage risks, including by:

• setting out the process for the registration, use and management of Victoria Police’s human sources, and
• establishing an external oversight model to ensure that human sources are used in an ethical and justifiable manner.

The Commission emphasised that the use of human sources plays an important role for policing and community safety and should continue, but that considerable risks exist due to the covert nature of human sources.

The legislation ensures significant protections are put in place where the risks are greatest – where a person has access to privileged information, is under the age of 18, or has a serious physical or mental health condition.

The government has conducted a systemic review of police oversight in Victoria, which delivers on recommendation 61. The review, which involved community and targeted stakeholder consultation, considered the institutional and legislative structures that make up the Victorian police oversight system, including:

• integrity agencies’ external oversight of police’s use of significant powers
• complaints and disclosures about police misconduct and corruption, and
• how these complaints may be responded to (either through informal resolution, formal complaints resolution processes or investigation and/or disciplinary processes).

Government is continuing to consider options for reform following the completion of the review, including recommendation 27 of the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s Yoorrook For Justice report, published on 4 September 2023, which involves Victoria’s police oversight system.

Ongoing progress continues to support delivery of the outstanding recommendations with a two-year indicative timeframe.

Recommendation 60 requires the Victorian Government to ensure that the PIM, IBAC and Victoria Police are adequately resourced to undertake new legislative functions under the Human Source Management Act. Government is continuing to work with agencies to understand resourcing implications of delivering the recommendations.

As outlined in 2.2 above, government has also undertaken a significant body of work to develop reform proposals to implement recommendations 85 and 86 including engaging with the LSC and other participants in the multijurisdictional Legal Profession Uniform Law scheme.

Longer-term recommendations directed to the Victorian Government

Of the 55 recommendations led by the Victorian Government, only two outstanding recommendations have longer-term indicative timeframes beyond the current reporting period, due to ongoing or no indicative timeframes.

Recommendations 43 requires the Victorian Government to ensure that Victoria Police is appropriately funded to implement the Commission’s recommendations.

Government is continuing to work with agencies to understand resourcing implications of delivering the recommendations.

Recommendations 111 requires the Attorney-General to reports annually to the Victorian Parliament on the progress of the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations, until implementation is complete.

The Commission’s final report included 111 recommendations. The following table sets out the Commission’s implementation timeframes against each of the 55 recommendations that the Victorian Government is responsible for implementing. Appendix B sets out the Commission’s recommendations all other agencies are responsible for implementing.

The Commission’s final report included 111 recommendations. The following table sets out the Commission’s implementation timeframes against each of the 55 recommendations that the Victorian Government is responsible for implementing. Appendix B sets out the Commission’s recommendations all other agencies are responsible for implementing.

Recommendation 1

That the Victorian Government, immediately after it has established the Special Investigator proposed in Recommendation 92, refers the conduct of Ms Nicola Gobbo to the Special Investigator to investigate whether there is sufficient evidence to establish the commission of a criminal offence or offences connected with her conduct as a human source for Victoria Police.

If the Special Investigator considers that there is sufficient evidence to establish the commission of a criminal offence or offences, they should prepare a brief of evidence for the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions to determine whether to prosecute.

Theme: Special Investigator
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 3

That the Victorian Government, immediately after it has established the Special Investigator proposed in Recommendation 92, refers the conduct of current and former Victoria Police officers named in this report or the complete and unredacted submissions of Counsel Assisting to the Special Investigator to investigate whether there is sufficient evidence to establish the commission of a criminal and/or disciplinary offence or offences connected with Victoria Police’s use of Ms Nicola Gobbo as a human source.

If the Special Investigator considers that there is sufficient evidence to establish the commission of a criminal offence or offences, they should prepare a brief of evidence for the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions to determine whether to prosecute.

If the Special Investigator considers that there is sufficient evidence to establish the commission of a disciplinary offence or offences, they should deal with those matters in accordance with Recommendation 99.

Theme: Special Investigator
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 6

That the Victorian Government, within three months, appoints a suitably qualified and independent person to review the 11 Victoria Police human source files subject to a claim of public interest immunity. The appointed person should have full and unfettered access to the human source files and report to the Attorney-General, the Minister for Police and the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police on whether:

1. any of the human sources provided information to Victoria Police in possible breach of their legal obligations of confidentiality or privilege
2. any confidential or privileged information provided by the human sources was used or disseminated by Victoria Police
3. a referral should be made to the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions and/or Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for further consideration, if there is evidence to suggest a prosecution or conviction was based on information improperly obtained by Victoria Police or may have been affected by the non-disclosure of relevant evidence.

Theme: Oversight
Timeframe: 28 February 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 8

That the Victorian Government, within two years, implements legislation for Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, to provide a clear framework for police to obtain and use information from human sources and to ensure they are used in an ethical and justifiable manner.

Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: The Human Source Management Act received Royal Assent on 16 May 2023 and will commence operation on 30 September 2024

Recommendation 9

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation for Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, makes it an offence to disclose information relating to a human source without authorisation (including information that a human source provided or was tasked to provide, and information about the identity of a human source and their registration and management).

Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 10

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation for Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, defines ‘reportable human sources’ as a class of people who are prospective or registered human sources and who are reasonably expected to have access to confidential or privileged information.

Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 11

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation for Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, establishes clear decision-making arrangements that demonstrate alignment between the seniority of the decision maker and the level of risk posed by the registration of human sources.

The legislation should:

1. empower the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police to register human sources to assist in gathering criminal intelligence and/or investigating criminal activity
2. permit the Chief Commissioner to delegate the power to register reportable human sources to an officer of or above the rank of Assistant Commissioner and non-reportable human sources to an officer of or above the rank of Superintendent
3. require that an application for the registration of a prospective human source must be authorised by the Chief Commissioner or their delegate before the person can be used as a human source.

Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 12

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation for Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, requires the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police or their delegate to be satisfied that in registering any human source, the registration is appropriate and justified, including that:

1. the use of the person as a human source is necessary to achieve a legitimate law enforcement objective and is proportionate to that objective
2. the risks associated with the person’s registration have been identified and can be adequately managed.

Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 13

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation for Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources:

1. empowers the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police or their delegate to impose conditions in respect of the registration of any human source
2. requires the Chief Commissioner or their delegate to determine the period that a human source may be registered
3. requires the Chief Commissioner or their delegate to determine the frequency with which the registration of a human source should be reviewed.

Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 14

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation for Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, requires that a prospective human source who is reasonably expected to have access to information that would be confidential or privileged but for an exception to the duty of confidentiality or privilege, should for the purpose of the human source registration process be treated as though they are a reportable human source.

Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 15

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation for Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, requires that:

1. the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police or their delegate must consider formal legal advice before deciding to register a reportable human source
2. the Chief Commissioner or their delegate must have regard to any recommendations or submissions on the proposed registration that the Public Interest Monitor has made before deciding to register a reportable human source.

Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 16

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation for Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources:

1. requires that the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police or their delegate must be satisfied that there are exceptional and compelling circumstances to justify the registration of a human source where Victoria Police intends to obtain or disseminate confidential or privileged information from that person
2. provides that ‘exceptional and compelling circumstances’ be defined as circumstances where there is a serious threat to national security, the community or the life and welfare of a person; and where the information cannot be obtained through any other reasonable means
3. requires that the Chief Commissioner or their delegate must consider formal legal advice before deciding to register a human source with the intention to obtain or disseminate confidential or privileged information from that person
4. requires that the Chief Commissioner or their delegate must have regard to any recommendations or submissions on the proposed registration that the Public Interest Monitor has made before deciding to register a human source with the intention to obtain or disseminate confidential or privileged information from that person.

Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 17

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation for Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, requires that where a reportable or non-reportable human source provides confidential or privileged information to police that was not expected or authorised at the time of their registration as a human source:

1. Victoria Police must quarantine the confidential or privileged information
2. Victoria Police must cancel the registration and commence a new application (if Victoria Police considers it necessary to continue using the person as a human source), in line with Recommendations 11, 15 and 16.

Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 18

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation for Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, allows the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police or their delegate to make an emergency authorisation of a reportable human source.

This power should only be used in circumstances where: there is a serious threat to national security, the community, or the life and welfare of a person; the threat is imminent; and the information is not able to be obtained through any other reasonable means.

Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 43

That the Victorian Government ensures Victoria Police is appropriately funded and resourced to implement the Commission’s recommendations.

Theme: Funding
Timeframe: No specified timeframe
Status update: Government is continuing to work with agencies to understand resourcing implications of delivering the recommendations.

Recommendation 44

That the Victorian Government, within two years, implements legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of all human sources.

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 45

That the Victorian Government, in developing legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, adopts a model comprised of the following three tiers:

1. The Public Interest Monitor should be involved in Victoria Police’s decision-making process for registering reportable human sources.
2. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission should retrospectively monitor Victoria Police’s compliance with the Human Source Management framework recommended by the Commission, including the proposed legislation, any regulations, Victoria Police’s Human Source Policy and related procedures.
3. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission should continue to receive, handle and investigate complaints about Victoria Police, including any complaints about Victoria Police’s use of human sources.

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 46

That the Victorian Government, in developing legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, provides the Public Interest Monitor with the following legislative functions in relation to Victoria Police applications to register reportable human sources:

1. test the sufficiency and adequacy of information relied on by Victoria Police in its application to register a reportable human source
2. ask questions of any person giving information about the application
3. assess the appropriateness of, and make recommendations or submissions on, the application to the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police or their delegate
4. such other functions as considered necessary or appropriate.

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 47

That the Victorian Government, in developing legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, provides the Public Interest Monitor with all necessary and reasonable powers required to fulfil its functions under the new legislation, including the power to:

1. request, access and receive relevant documents, information or other material from Victoria Police
2. require the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police or other relevant Victoria Police personnel to answer questions relevant to an application to register a reportable human source
3. make recommendations to the Chief Commissioner or their delegate regarding Victoria Police’s decisions relating to human sources
4. refer to the Chief Commissioner for reconsideration a delegate’s decision not to accept a recommendation of the Public Interest Monitor relating to an application to register a reportable human source.

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 48

That the Victorian Government, in developing legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, empowers the Public Interest Monitor to make retrospective submissions or recommendations to the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police or their delegate about the adequacy of any decisions made or actions taken by Victoria Police in relation to an emergency authorisation (made in line with the process proposed in Recommendation 18).

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 49

That the Victorian Government, in developing legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, requires the Public Interest Monitor to:

1. report to the Attorney-General annually on, among other things, the performance of its legislative functions, Victoria Police’s acceptance or rejection of its recommendations and its views about the adequacy of actions taken by Victoria Police
2. provide special reports to the Attorney-General on other occasions if it deems necessary, or on the Attorney-General’s request
3. provide copies of these annual and special reports to the Minister for Police and the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police.

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 50

That the Victorian Government, in developing legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, requires the Attorney-General to:

1. table in the Victorian Parliament annual and special reports prepared by the Public Interest Monitor
2. cause the reports to be published on a Victorian Government website, subject to any redactions that the Public Interest Monitor considers necessary on safety and security grounds.

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 51

That the Victorian Government, in developing legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, provides that the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police has obligations to:

1. notify the Public Interest Monitor of any application to register a reportable human source
2. provide all information relevant to the application, whether supportive or adverse, to the Public Interest Monitor
3. ensure that any relevant Victoria Police personnel provide information and answer questions relevant to an application when requested by the Public Interest Monitor
4. provide the Public Interest Monitor with all information relevant to an emergency authorisation of a reportable human source and a report explaining why the circumstances were exceptional and compelling and why the threat was imminent
5. respond to the Public Interest Monitor within a reasonable time after a recommendation has been made as to whether the recommended action has been or will be taken, or provide reasons as to why the recommendation is not accepted
6. ensure that Victoria Police personnel provide all reasonable assistance to support the Public Interest Monitor in the performance of its functions.

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 52

That the Victorian Government, in developing legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, provides the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission with legislative functions to:

1. monitor Victoria Police’s compliance with the Human Source Management framework recommended by the Commission
2. conduct inspections of Victoria Police human source records at least once every six months
3. receive and consider reports from Victoria Police regarding material breaches of compliance with, or material deviations from, the Human Source Management framework
4. receive and consider reports from Victoria Police regarding its management of confidential or privileged information obtained from a human source
5. make findings and recommendations to the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police.

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 53

That the Victorian Government, in developing legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, provides the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission with all necessary and reasonable powers required to fulfil its legislative functions, including the power to:

1. enter any Victoria Police premises, after notifying the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police
2. have full and free access to Victoria Police human source records and systems
3. make copies of records, in accordance with appropriate security measures
4. request Victoria Police personnel to answer questions and provide documents
5. request further inspection outside the legislative inspection period to monitor and assess Victoria Police’s implementation of any of its recommendations
6. do any other thing reasonably necessary to discharge its legislative functions effectively.

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 54

That the Victorian Government, in developing legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, provides that the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police has obligations to:

1. report regularly (every three or six months) to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission on any material breach of, or material deviation from, the Human Source Management framework recommended by the Commission, and explain the circumstances of that breach and steps taken or planned to rectify the breach and prevent it recurring
2. report regularly (every three or six months) to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission on confidential or privileged information that Victoria Police has obtained from any human source and how that information has been or will be dealt with
3. respond in writing within a reasonable time of receiving a recommendation of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, either to accept the recommendation or explain why it has not been accepted
4. implement a recommendation of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission within a reasonable time of receiving and accepting it
5. ensure that Victoria Police personnel provide all reasonable assistance to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission in the performance of its functions.

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 55

That the Victorian Government, in developing legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, requires the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission to:

1. report to the Attorney-General annually on, among other things, the performance of its legislative functions and Victoria Police’s compliance with the Human Source Management framework recommended by the Commission
2. provide special reports to the Attorney-General on other occasions if the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission deems necessary, or on the Attorney-General’s request
3. provide copies of these annual and special reports to the Minister for Police and the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police.

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 56

That the Victorian Government, in developing legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, requires the Attorney-General to:

1. table in the Victorian Parliament annual and special reports prepared by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission
2. cause the reports to be published on a Victorian Government website, subject to any redactions that the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission considers necessary on safety and security grounds.

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 58

That the Victorian Government, in developing legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, allows the Public Interest Monitor and Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission to securely share information relevant to their respective legislative functions regarding Victoria Police’s use and management of human sources.

Theme: Human Source Management/Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: see note to recommendation 8.

Recommendation 60

That the Victorian Government, within two years, ensures that the Public Interest Monitor, Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission and Victoria Police are appropriately funded and resourced to undertake the additional legislative functions and fulfil associated obligations that the Commission has recommended for the external oversight of the use of human sources.

Theme: Funding
Timeframe: 30 November 2022
Status update: Government is continuing to work with agencies to understand resourcing implications of delivering the recommendations.

Recommendation 61

That the Victorian Government, within two years, undertakes a review of institutional and legislative structures for the oversight of Victoria Police’s exercise of powers, to ensure that Victoria’s police oversight system is consistent and coherent and contributes to improved police accountability, including through outcome-focused monitoring of police decisions and actions.

Theme: Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022 (Delivered)
Status update: government has conducted a systemic review of police oversight in Victoria. The review involved intensive stakeholder and public consultation and government is continuing to consider options for reform.

Recommendation 62

That the Victorian Government, within 12 months, introduces a legislative requirement for the responsible Victoria Police officer to:

1. provide the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions with all material obtained during an investigation that may be relevant to either the prosecution or the accused person’s case, except for material that is subject to a claim of privilege, public interest immunity, a legislative immunity or publication restriction
2. notify the Director of the existence and nature of any material subject to a claim of privilege, public interest immunity, a legislative immunity or publication restriction
3. where requested, provide the Director with any material subject to a claim of privilege, public interest immunity, legislative immunity or publication restriction.

Theme: Disclosure (Delivered)
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 63

That the Victorian Government, within 12 months, introduces a legislative requirement for Victoria Police to complete a disclosure certificate in summary proceedings when a full brief is served and in indictable proceedings when a hand-up brief is served, which describes:

1. relevant material not contained in the brief of evidence that is subject to a claim of privilege, public interest immunity, a legislative immunity or publication restriction
2. the nature of the privilege or immunity claim or publication restriction in relation to each item.
3. a copy of the disclosure certificate should be provided to the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions and served on accused persons.

Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 66

That the Victorian Government, within 12 months, amends sections 41(e) and 110(e) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009 (Vic) to clarify that any information, document or thing that is relevant to an alleged offence includes any material relevant to the credibility of a prosecution witness.

Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 67

That the Victorian Government, within six months, in consultation with the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions, Victoria Police, the Victorian courts, Victoria Legal Aid and other relevant stakeholders:

1. reviews the adequacy of existing court powers to make non-disclosure orders
2. considers whether a legislative power should be introduced to empower Victoria Police and/or the Director to initiate applications for a court to determine public interest immunity claims without giving notice to an accused person.

Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: 31 May 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 77

That the Victorian Government, within six months, considers whether the Victorian Legal Admissions Board requires any additional powers to request and consider documentation from other agencies for the purpose of assessing applications for admission to the legal profession.

If such powers are conferred in Victoria, a Council of Attorneys-General working group should consider whether a harmonised approach could be adopted in all Australian jurisdictions.

Theme: Legal profession regulation
Timeframe: 31 May 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 85

That the Legal Services Council, Law Council of Australia and Australian Bar Association work together to, within 12 months, harmonise the powers held by local regulatory authorities through the Solicitors’ CPD Rules, so that policies and requirements for CPD can be made for solicitors as they can already for barristers.

If this change has not been made within 12 months, the Victorian Government should, within a further 12 months, provide the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner with the power to regulate solicitors’ CPD, as it is currently able to do in respect of barristers.

Theme: Legal profession regulation
Timeframe: 30 November 2022
Status update: As the Legal Services Council, Law Council of Australia and Australian Bar Association did not implement the recommendation within the stipulated timeframe, the second part of this recommendation has been triggered. The government has engaged with participant jurisdictions on a proposed model.

Recommendation 86

That the Victorian Government, within 12 months, pursues through the Council of Attorneys-General and the Legal Services Council, an amendment to the Legal Profession Uniform Law introducing a mandatory requirement for lawyers to report the suspected misconduct of other lawyers. The Victorian Government should ensure the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner is appropriately resourced to implement this recommendation.

If the amendment incorporating a mandatory reporting obligation has not been agreed within 12 months, the Victorian Government should, within a further 12 months, introduce a mandatory reporting requirement for Victorian lawyers to report the suspected misconduct of other lawyers.

Theme: Legal profession regulation
Timeframe: 30 November 2022
Status update: In consultation with stakeholders, the government has developed a model for the reforms and engaged with the LSC and other participating jurisdictions seeking uniform implementation of the mandatory reporting requirement. Government continues to consider the best way of progressing this recommendation.

Recommendation 91

That the Victorian Government, within 18 months, amends the Inquiries Act 2014 (Vic) to:

1. remove the ability for a person to refuse to comply with a notice to give information to a royal commission on the basis that the information is the subject of public interest immunity
2. insert a provision to make clear that it is not a reasonable excuse for a person to refuse or fail to comply with a requirement to give information (including answering a question) or produce a document or other thing to a royal commission on the basis that the information, document or other thing is the subject of public interest immunity
3. specify that any such information or document or other thing does not cease to be the subject of public interest immunity only because it is given or produced to a royal commission in accordance with a requirement under the act.

Theme: Royal Commissions
Timeframe: 31 May 2022
Status update: Rather than introducing amendments to the Inquiries Act in isolation, work is underway to develop whole-of-government administrative guidance on public interest immunity claims for inquiries and litigation more broadly. Consultation will continue with relevant stakeholders.

Recommendation 92

That the Victorian Government, within 12 months, develops legislation to establish a Special Investigator with the necessary powers and resources to investigate whether there is sufficient evidence to establish the commission of a criminal offence or offences (connected with Victoria Police’s use of Ms Nicola Gobbo as a human source) by Ms Gobbo or the current and former police officers named in the Commission’s final report or in the complete and unredacted submissions of Counsel Assisting.

Theme: Special Investigator
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 93

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation to establish the Special Investigator, requires that the person appointed as the Special Investigator be an Australian lawyer with at least 10 years’ experience in criminal law or a related field.

Theme: Special Investigator
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 94

That, where the Special Investigator compiles a brief of evidence containing sufficient evidence to establish the commission of a criminal offence or offences by Ms Nicola Gobbo or current or former Victoria Police officers, the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions should be responsible for determining whether to prosecute and, if so, for the prosecution of the matter under the Public Prosecutions Act 1994 (Vic).

Theme: Special Investigator
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 95

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation to establish the Special Investigator, requires the Special Investigator to report regularly to the Implementation Monitor proposed in Recommendation 108 on their progress to establish their operations, and on the outcomes of their investigations.

Theme: Special Investigator
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 96

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation to establish the Special Investigator, requires the Special Investigator to investigate whether there is sufficient evidence to establish the commission of misconduct or a breach of discipline under the Victoria Police Act 2013 (Vic) (connected with Victoria Police’s use of Ms Nicola Gobbo as a human source) by current Victoria Police officers named in the Commission’s final report or in the complete and unredacted submissions of Counsel Assisting.

Theme: Special Investigator
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 97

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation to establish the Special Investigator, empowers the Special Investigator to investigate:

1. whether there is sufficient evidence to establish the commission of a criminal offence or offences (connected with Victoria Police’s use of Ms Nicola Gobbo as a human source) by any current or former Victoria Police officers other than those named in the Commission’s final report or in the complete and unredacted submissions of Counsel Assisting
2. whether there is sufficient evidence to establish the commission of misconduct or a breach of discipline under the Victoria Police Act 2013 (Vic) (connected with Victoria Police’s use of Ms Gobbo as a human source) by any current Victoria Police officers other than those named in the Commission’s final report or in the complete and unredacted submissions of Counsel Assisting.

Theme: Special Investigator
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 98

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation to establish the Special Investigator, provides the Special Investigator with all necessary and reasonable powers required to fulfil their role in investigating misconduct or breaches of discipline, including but not limited to the power to direct any police officer to give any relevant information, produce any relevant document or answer any relevant question during a disciplinary investigation.

Any information, document or answer given in response to such a direction should not be admissible in evidence before any court or person acting judicially, other than in proceedings for perjury or for a breach of discipline.

To support the Special Investigator’s powers, the failure of an officer to comply with a direction from the Special Investigator should itself constitute a breach of discipline.

Theme: Special Investigator
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 99

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation to establish the Special Investigator, empowers the Special Investigator to lay disciplinary charges against relevant police officers if satisfied there is sufficient evidence to do so.

Theme: Special Investigator
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 102

That the Victorian Government ensures that under the Public Records Act 1973 (Vic), the Commission’s records be unavailable for public inspection for 75 years, subject to: any order of the Supreme Court of Victoria; the legislation providing the Special Investigator and the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission with access to the records; or any decision of the responsible Minister under section 9(2)(b) of the act to permit all or any of the records to be open for inspection by any specified person or class of persons.

Theme: Records management
Timeframe: No specified timeframe (Delivered)

Recommendation 103

That the Victorian Government, in developing the legislation to establish the Special Investigator, ensures that the legislation:

1. gives the Special Investigator full and free access to the Commission’s records
2. requires the Special Investigator to establish appropriate security arrangements for access to and the management of such records.

Theme: Special Investigator
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 104

That the Department of Premier and Cabinet notifies Victoria Police of any court order or request to access the closed records of the Commission, except in relation to requests made by the Special Investigator or Independent Broad‑based Anti‑corruption Commission.

Theme: Records management
Timeframe: Ongoing (Delivered)

Recommendation 107

That the Victorian Government, within three months, establishes an Implementation Taskforce, chaired by a senior executive of the Department of Justice and Community Safety, with responsibility for coordinating and completing implementation of the Commission’s recommendations. The Taskforce should:

1. consist of members from the Department of Justice and Community Safety, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria Police, the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions, the Special Investigator and other relevant stakeholders
2. engage regularly with, and report formally and informally to, the Implementation Monitor proposed in Recommendation 108 throughout the implementation process.

Theme: Governance
Timeframe: 28 February 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 108

That the Victorian Government, within three months, appoints an independent Implementation Monitor to monitor the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations until implementation is completed.

Theme: Governance
Timeframe: 28 February 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 109

That the Victorian Government, in establishing the role of the Implementation Monitor, provides the Implementation Monitor with the support of a small secretariat located within the Department of Justice and Community Safety, and all necessary and reasonable legislative powers required to fulfil their role, including the power to:

1. assess the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations throughout the implementation process, not only once responsible agencies have reported on the completion of implementation
2. access Implementation Taskforce documents and attend meetings of the Implementation Taskforce
3. indicate to responsible agencies the extent to which their implementation of the Commission’s recommendations is considered adequate
4. request regular reports from Victoria Police on its progress in fulfilling its ongoing disclosure obligations to potentially affected persons identified by the Commission
5. request reports from the Special Investigator on progress to establish their operations and the outcomes of their investigations
6. request reports from the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police on the progress and outcomes of any disciplinary proceedings arising from the Special Investigator’s disciplinary investigations.

Theme: Governance
Timeframe: No specified timeframe (Delivered)

Recommendation 110

That the Victorian Government, in establishing the role of the Implementation Monitor, requires it to report to the Attorney-General annually, or more frequently as it deems necessary, on the progress of the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations, the adequacy of implementation and what further measures may be required to ensure the Commission’s recommendations are implemented fully within the specified timeframes.

Theme: Reporting
Timeframe: No specified timeframe (Delivered)
Status update: The Police Informants Royal Commission Implementation Monitor Act 2021 requires the Implementation Monitor to report to the Attorney-General annually.

Recommendation 111

That the Attorney-General reports annually to the Victorian Parliament on the progress of the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations, until implementation is complete.

Theme: Reporting
Timeframe: Ongoing until implementation complete
Status update: this second annual progress report is provided to Parliament pursuant to this recommendation.

The Commission’s final report included 111 recommendations. The following table sets out the Commission’s implementation timeframes against each recommendation that agencies other than government are responsible for implementing.

Recommendation 2

That the Victorian Bar Council, within three months, considers removing Ms Nicola Gobbo from the Victorian Bar Roll, including by any necessary amendment to the Victorian Bar Constitution.

Responsible agency: Victorian Bar
Theme: Legal Profession Regulation
Timeframe: 28 February 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 4

That the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, within three months:

1. takes steps to ensure that Victoria Police’s organisational and executive structure enables the role of Executive Director, Legal Services to provide independent legal advice to Victoria Police Executive Command (or creates an alternative senior legal advisory role for this purpose)
2. considers whether limits should be placed on the maximum time a person may spend in the position of Executive Director, Legal Services (or any alternative senior role created within Victoria Police for the purpose of providing independent legal advice to Executive Command).

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Governance
Timeframe: 28 February 2021 (Delivered)
Status update: Victoria Police conducted a review of its organisational and executive structure in 2021. Additional safeguards requiring legal advice to be sought prior to the registration of certain high risk human sources have been included in the Human Source Management Act.

Recommendation 5

That Victoria Police provides monthly progress reports to the Implementation Taskforce proposed in Recommendation 107, regarding its progress in fulfilling its ongoing disclosure obligations to potentially affected persons identified by the Commission.

These reports should also be made available to the Implementation Monitor proposed in Recommendation 108.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: Ongoing
Status update: Victoria Police continues to prepare monthly disclosure reports for the Implementation Monitor and Implementation Taskforce members.

Recommendation 7

That Victoria Police, within three months and consistent with its Capability Plan 2016–2025, establishes clear processes for the review and amendment of human source management policies and procedures, including processes for:

1. seeking and incorporating operational input from police officers involved in human source management
2. disseminating and communicating policy and procedural changes so that all relevant officers receive timely and accurate advice about impending change
3. reviewing and evaluating policies and procedures on an annual basis to ensure its human source management practices are responsive to emerging risks, changes to the operating environment and changes to any relevant legislation; and are consistent with Victoria Police’s human rights obligations under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic).

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 28 February 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 19

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, implements changes to its decision-making model and associated requirements in the Human Source Policy, on an interim basis until the legislation proposed in Recommendation 8 comes into force. The Human Source Policy should:

1. provide that the Assistant Commissioner, Intelligence and Covert Support Command, is responsible for decisions to register Category 1–3 human sources and to disseminate confidential or privileged information obtained from any human source
2. provide that the Central Source Registrar is responsible for the registration of human sources other than Category 1–3 human sources
3. require the Assistant Commissioner to consider formal legal advice in deciding whether to authorise the registration of a Category 1 human source or to disseminate confidential or privileged information, and to consider other specialist advice as required in deciding whether to register a Category 2 or 3 human source
4. replace the requirement for officers to seek approval from the Human Source Ethics Committee to ‘approach’ a prospective Category 1–3 human source with a requirement for the handling team to consult with the Human Source Management Unit before approaching such a prospective source
5. remove Category 4 human sources as a separate category under the Human Source Policy.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 20

That Victoria Police, within 12 months:

1. implements changes to its Human Source Policy to include a statement of the organisation’s objectives and guiding principles for the registration, use and management of human sources, including but not limited to principles of integrity, necessity and proportionality, accountability, effectiveness, consistency, and safety and sensitivity
2. obtains operational input to inform the development of these objectives, principles and associated guidance.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 21

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, implements changes to its Human Source Policy to provide practical examples of the ways in which human source management can engage and limit the human rights set out in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic), and guidance for police officers in considering whether the use of a human source is necessary and proportionate.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 22

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, implements changes to its Human Source Policy to provide practical guidance to assist police officers to identify potentially confidential or privileged information. This guidance should include advice and examples relating to:

1. the types of occupations and professional relationships that attract legal obligations of confidentiality or privilege
2. the exceptions to legal obligations of confidentiality or privilege and when these may apply
3. the implications of using confidential or privileged information, including the potentially adverse consequences for any resulting investigations, prosecutions or convictions
4. when and how to seek further advice, including from the Human Source Management Unit.

Victoria Police should seek legal advice from its Legal Services Department or the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office in developing this guidance.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 23

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, implements changes to its Human Source Policy to provide clear requirements and instructions to police officers on the use and handling of confidential and privileged information, including in relation to the quarantine, retention, dissemination and destruction of such information.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 24

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, implements changes to its Human Source Policy to require that:

1. when dealing with human sources involving legal obligations of confidentiality or privilege, the Acknowledgement of Responsibilities must clearly set out any limitations on the information a human source can provide
2. police officers must not actively, without appropriate authority, seek information from a human source that would cause the human source to breach a legal obligation of confidentiality or privilege.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 25

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, implements changes to its Human Source Policy to provide clear instructions and practical guidance on the circumstances in which it may be appropriate to dispense with the requirement for a sterile corridor and the measures that officers should adopt to manage the associated risks.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 26

That Victoria Police, within two years, establishes an organisational model for the registration, use and management of human sources that provides for:

1. the management of all human sources by dedicated source teams
2. centralised internal oversight of the management of human sources by the Human Source Management Unit, the Central Source Registrar and the Assistant Commissioner, Intelligence and Covert Support Command.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022
Status update: Victoria Police continues to plan for a phased implementation of a centralised model for human source management. Delivery is currently delayed pending recruitment and attrition outcomes.

Recommendation 27

That Victoria Police, within two years, removes the roles of Officer in Charge and Local Source Registrar from its decision-making process and organisational model for the registration, use and management of human sources.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022
Status update: see note to recommendation 26

Recommendation 28

That Victoria Police, within two years, introduces requirements limiting the maximum time that police officers can hold positions within dedicated source teams and the Human Source Management Unit to five years.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022
Status update: see note to recommendation 26

Recommendation 29

That Victoria Police, within two years:

1. develops a prevention and detection strategy to mitigate the risk of misconduct and corruption that may arise from the implementation of a centralised and dedicated human source management model, taking into account the Commission’s findings and those of previous inquiries
2. ensures that this strategy is regularly reviewed and refined as part of Victoria Police’s strategic management of this high-risk area of policing.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2022
Status update: Research and environmental scanning have been completed to support the development of a prevention and detection strategy required by Recommendation 29. Full delivery of this strategy is contingent on the operationalisation of a centralised model for human source management.

Recommendation 30

That Victoria Police, within 12 months and as part of its current work to improve its human source risk assessments, develops guidance on how to assess:

1. the source and nature of information reasonably expected to be provided by a human source, to identify whether that information could be confidential or privileged
2. the risks that the use of a human source could pose to the proper administration of justice
3. the engagement of any human rights set out in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic), including how any limitation is reasonable, necessary and proportionate in the circumstances.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 31

That Victoria Police, within three years, engages an independent expert to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of its new human source management risk assessment tools, to determine whether they support effective identification and management of risks.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2023
Status update: Victoria Police has commenced the independent review, which is on track for delivery in November 2023

Recommendation 32

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, implements changes to its Human Source Policy to provide clear instructions and practical guidance about who is responsible for supervision of the handling team, why effective supervision is necessary and how it should be applied in practice.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 33

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, develops guidance in its human source management training to assist police officers to identify confidential and privileged information, focusing on the origin of information and circumstances in which such information could be provided to police, including:

1. how to identify potential legal obligations of confidentiality or privilege through the risk assessment process
2. how to manage any professional conflicts of interest that may arise for a human source with legal obligations of confidentiality or privilege.

Victoria Police should seek legal advice from its Legal Services Department or the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office in developing this training material.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 34

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, develops guidance in its human source management training on:

1. the human rights set out in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic) that are generally engaged by the management of human sources, including the right to life, the right to privacy and the right to a fair hearing
2. how to assess whether the use of a human source unreasonably limits the human rights of the source or other people.

Victoria Police should seek input from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission in developing and delivering this training.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 35

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, develops and implements training for controllers, the Human Source Management Unit, the Central Source Registrar and the Assistant Commissioner, Intelligence and Covert Support Command, focused on effective risk management, supervision, oversight and decision making in respect of the use of human sources.

This training should include guidance on identifying confidential and privileged information, and the circumstances in which such information could be provided to police.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 36

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, requires all handlers and controllers to successfully complete intermediate human source management training at a minimum.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 37

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, introduces requirements for mandatory annual human source management training for all police officers with human source management responsibilities and timely training associated with any significant policy or legislative changes.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 38

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, enhances Interpose or develops some other system for recording details of the origin of information provided by human sources and how it was obtained.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 39

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, reviews the broader functionality of Interpose to ensure that it will support the effective implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 40

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, implements changes to its Human Source Policy and associated processes to:

1. provide for six-monthly compliance audits of human source files at all risk levels by the Compliance and Risk Management Unit within the Intelligence and Covert Support Command
2. clearly set out the compliance monitoring functions of both the Compliance and Risk Management Unit and the Human Source Management Unit.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 41

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, implements changes to its Human Source Policy and associated processes to require that:

1. the results of human source management audits be reported to the Assistant Commissioner, Intelligence and Covert Support Command
2. any system-wide risks or major failings that are identified through human source management audits be reported to the Victoria Police Audit and Risk Committee.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 42

That Victoria Police, within three months, establishes a strategic governance committee to:

1. contribute to the development, and oversee Victoria Police’s implementation of, the human source management reforms recommended by the Commission
2. identify, address and monitor emerging risks, issues and opportunities in Victoria Police’s human source management program and provide strategic advice to the Assistant Commissioner, Intelligence and Covert Support Command and Deputy Commissioner, Specialist Operations
3. be responsible for strategic planning for Victoria Police’s human source management program.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human source management
Timeframe: 28 February 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 57

That Victoria Police, within three months, implements changes to its Human Source Policy to require that all human sources are informed upon registration that they are able to make complaints to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, which may be confidential if they wish.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Human Source Management
Timeframe: 28 February 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 59

That the Public Interest Monitor and Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, within two years and prior to the commencement of the proposed new legislation for external oversight of Victoria Police’s registration, use and management of human sources, implement appropriate security protocols and infrastructure to securely receive, share, store and dispose of sensitive human source information.

Responsible agency: Public Interest Monitor/Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission
Theme: Oversight
Timeframe: 30 November 2022
Status update: This recommendation is contingent on delivery of regulations following the introduction of the Human Source Management Act and other legislative amendments related to record keeping.

Recommendation 64

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, amends its internal policies and procedures to align with the legislative changes proposed in Recommendations 62 and 63. These amendments should include guidance for the responsible Victoria Police officer on disclosure obligations and how to describe withheld materials in the proposed disclosure certificate.

Victoria Police should consult with the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions in developing these amendments.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 65

That the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions, within 12 months, amends the Policy of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Victoria to align it with the legislative changes proposed in Recommendations 62 and 63.

Responsible agency: Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions
Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 68

That the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions, Victoria Police, the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office and any other relevant stakeholders work together to establish clear protocols and procedures, within 12 months, to facilitate effective engagement with, and resolution of, complex issues arising from disclosure obligations and public interest immunity claims.

These protocols and procedures should:

1. ensure Victoria Police has adequate and early support, including legal advice, when making complex decisions about relevant and disclosable information that may be subject to public interest immunity
2. tailor the level of support provided to Victoria Police, to enable greater support in cases involving complex public interest immunity and disclosure issues
3. ensure the Director’s independence is maintained and potential conflicts of interest are avoided.

Responsible agency: Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions/Victoria Police/Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office
Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 69

That the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions, within 12 months, amends the Policy of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Victoria to provide appropriate guidance on when and how the Director can be consulted by Victoria Police in relation to complex issues arising from disclosure obligations and public interest immunity claims. These amendments should reflect the protocols and procedures proposed in Recommendation 68.

Responsible agency: Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions
Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 70

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, amends its internal policies and procedures to provide appropriate guidance on when and how Victoria Police can consult the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to complex issues arising from disclosure obligations and public interest immunity claims. These amendments should reflect the protocols and procedures proposed in Recommendation 68 and the need for police officers to obtain early legal advice when potentially complex disclosure and public interest immunity issues arise; and provide a clear framework for seeking that advice.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 71

That Victoria Police, within six months, implements the measures it has proposed to improve training and support for police officers regarding their disclosure obligations, across all levels of the organisation.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: 31 May 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 72

That Victoria Police commissions two independent reviews of the measures implemented in Recommendation 71, to ensure that they adequately reflect any applicable changes to law and policy and are effective in improving police officers’ understanding of their disclosure obligations. The reviews should be undertaken as follows:

1. an initial independent external review within two years of implementation
2. an additional independent external review within five years of the initial review.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: First review within two years of implementation of Recommendation 71 and additional review within five years of first review.
Status update: Victoria Police has partially acquitted this recommendation by finalising the first review in May 2023. The second review is due to be conducted in 2028.

Recommendation 73

That Victoria Police commissions two independent reviews of the implementation of its dedicated disclosure officer initiative, to ensure that it is effective in improving disclosure processes and practices. The reviews should be undertaken as follows:

1. an initial independent external review within two years of implementation
2. an additional independent external review within five years of the initial review.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: First review within two years of implementation of disclosure officer initiative and additional review within five years of first review.
Status update: Victoria Police has partially acquitted this recommendation by finalising the first review in December 2022. The second review is due to be conducted in 2027.

Recommendation 74

That Victoria Police, within six months, reviews the information management systems it relies on to fulfill its disclosure obligations, to assess with specificity:

1. the extent to which the implementation of recent system reforms will enable Victoria Police to fulfil its disclosure obligations adequately
2. remaining system gaps and issues
3. system functionality needed to address any identified gaps and issues
4. investment requirements to develop and implement any additional system functionality needed.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: 31 May 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 75

That Victoria Police, within three months, establishes a disclosure governance committee that has responsibility for identifying and monitoring systemic disclosure issues and overseeing the development and implementation of reforms to improve disclosure processes and practices.

The committee’s membership should consist of stakeholders with expertise in policing, disclosure, public interest immunity and the conduct of criminal prosecutions, including the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions, the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, the Department of Justice and Community Safety, Victoria Legal Aid and any other relevant legal profession representatives.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: 28 February 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 76

That the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner, the Law Institute of Victoria and the Victorian Bar work with community legal services and Victoria Legal Aid to, within six months, prepare and distribute communications aimed at restoring and promoting public and client confidence in the legal profession.

These communications should:

1. educate clients and the public on lawyers’ ethical duties and obligations, particularly in relation to confidentiality, conflicts of interest and legal professional privilege
2. inform clients and the public about where they can seek help or advice regarding concerns they may have about their lawyer.

Responsible agency: Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner/Law Institute of Victoria/Victorian Bar
Theme: Legal Profession Regulation
Timeframe: 31 May 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 78

That the Legal Services Council, Law Council of Australia and Australian Bar Association work together to, within 12 months, clarify and harmonise the duty of confidentiality and its exceptions, as contained in the Solicitors’ Conduct Rules and the Barristers’ Conduct Rules.

Responsible agency: Legal Services Council/Law Council of Australia/Australian Bar Association
Theme: Legal Profession Regulation
Timeframe: 30 November 2021
Status update: The Law Council of Australia and Australian Bar Association have indicated more time is required due to the administrative process required to amend rules.

Recommendation 79

That the Law Council of Australia, within 12 months, updates the commentary to the Solicitors’ Conduct Rules in relation to the duty of confidentiality and its exceptions, to include guidance on:

1. the factors to be considered when assessing whether a disclosure of confidential information is justified
2. where and how a solicitor can obtain advice on ethics when considering making a disclosure
3. steps to be taken to document the actions taken by a solicitor regarding the information received and the disclosure made
4. any further actions that a solicitor should take when considering making a disclosure.

Responsible agency: Law Council of Australia
Theme: Legal Profession Regulation
Timeframe: 30 November 2021
Status update: The Law Council of Australia is in the process of updating the commentary to be released with amended rules.

Recommendation 80

That the Victorian Bar, within 12 months, prepares guidance in relation to the duty of confidentiality and its exceptions, including:

1. the factors to be considered when assessing whether a disclosure of confidential information is justified
2. where and how a barrister can obtain advice on ethics when considering making a disclosure
3. steps to be taken to document the actions taken by a barrister regarding the information received and the disclosure made
4. any further actions that a barrister should take when considering making a disclosure.

Responsible agency: Victorian Bar
Theme: Legal Profession Regulation
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 81

That the Victorian Bar, within six months, develops ethics guidance on specific conflict of interest issues and scenarios that can arise for criminal defence barristers.

The Victorian Bar should prepare this guidance in consultation with the Criminal Bar Association, Victoria Legal Aid and other relevant stakeholders.

Responsible agency: Victorian Bar
Theme: Legal Profession Regulation
Timeframe: 31 May 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 82

That the Law Council of Australia, within 12 months, includes specific guidance on maintaining appropriate professional boundaries in the commentary to the Solicitors’ Conduct Rules.

Responsible agency: Law Council of Australia
Theme: Legal Profession Regulation
Timeframe: 30 November 2021
Status update: The Law Council of Australia is in the process of updating the commentary to be released with new rules.

Recommendation 83

That the Victorian Bar, within 12 months, develops specific guidance for barristers on maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

Responsible agency: Victorian Bar
Theme: Legal Profession Regulation
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 84

That the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner, within six months, issues clear guidance about how legal ethics education should be embedded in the four compulsory fields of continuing professional development, including through the use of practical, scenario-based learning.

Responsible agency: Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner
Theme: Legal Profession Regulation
Timeframe: 30 May 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 87

That the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner, the Victorian Bar and the Law Institute of Victoria, in consultation with other relevant stakeholders and prior to the commencement of the mandatory reporting obligation proposed in Recommendation 86, prepare harmonised guidance and continuing professional development activities for the legal profession to accompany and support the introduction of a mandatory reporting requirement.

Responsible agency: Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner/Victorian Bar/Law Institute of Victoria
Theme: Legal Profession Regulation
Timeframe: Prior to implementation of Recommendation 86
Status update: Implementation of this recommendation is contingent on development of the reporting requirement scheme (recommendation 86).

Recommendation 88

That the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner, within 12 months, revokes the Instrument of Delegation conferred on the Victorian Bar for receiving and handling complaints regarding barristers and resumes that function.

Responsible agency: Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner
Theme: Legal Profession Regulation
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 89

That the Victorian Bar and the Law Institute of Victoria, within six months, assess the awareness level, use and views of the ethical, health and wellbeing support services and resources offered to their members.

If the awareness levels and usage are found to be low, the Victorian Bar and the Law Institute of Victoria should review the quality of the services and resources and improve marketing and communications to ensure members are aware of the useful supports available.

The Victorian Bar and the Law Institute of Victoria should regularly review the effectiveness of these services and resources (at least every two years) and update them as required to meet the needs of members.

Responsible agency: Victorian Bar/Law Institute of Victoria
Theme: Legal Profession Regulation
Timeframe: 31 May 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 90

That Victoria Police, within 12 months, amends the Victoria Police Manual and relevant training materials to comprehensively set out obligations under section 464C of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic) related to the right of a person in police custody to communicate with a lawyer.

Victoria Police should undertake this work in consultation with relevant stakeholders including Victoria Legal Aid, the Department of Justice and Community Safety, Law Institute of Victoria, Victorian Bar, Federation of Community Legal Centres and Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Legal Profession Regulation
Timeframe: 30 November 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 100

That the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police ensures that a suitably qualified, independent authorised person, who is not a police officer, determines any disciplinary charges laid by the Special Investigator.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Special Investigator
Timeframe: Following completion of investigations by the Special Investigator.
Status update: This recommendation will be closed at the time the Special Investigator Repeal Act 2023 commences.

Recommendation 101

That the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police reports to the Special Investigator and Implementation Monitor proposed in Recommendation 108 on the outcome of any disciplinary proceedings arising from the Special Investigator’s investigation of current Victoria Police officers.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Special Investigator
Timeframe: Following completion of investigations by the Special Investigator.
Status update: See note to recommendation 100.

Recommendation 105

That Victoria Police and the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions, within three months, in accordance with their ongoing disclosure obligations, apply the Commissioner’s determinations in relation to the public interest immunity claims (or as otherwise determined by a court) over the complete and unredacted submissions of Counsel Assisting, and, where relevant, facilitate disclosure of these revised versions of the submissions to potentially affected persons.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: 28 February 2021 (Delivered)

Recommendation 106

That Victoria Police and prosecuting agencies, within six months, make all reasonable attempts to advise the 887 people whose cases may have been affected in the manner identified in R v Szabo that their cases may have been affected by Ms Nicola Gobbo’s conduct as a human source, and facilitate ongoing disclosure of relevant information to those persons.

Responsible agency: Victoria Police
Theme: Disclosure
Timeframe: 31 May 2021 (Delivered)

The Commission’s final report included 111 recommendations. The following table sets out the full list of recommendations that have been assessed by the Implementation Monitor as delivered or not yet delivered within the Commission’s indicative implementation timeframes through to 30 November 2022.

Recommendations with a 3-month timeframe

Recommendations with a 6-month timeframe

Recommendations with a 12-month timeframe

Recommendations with an 18-month timeframe

Recommendations with a 2-year timeframe

Recommendations with a 2- and 7-year timeframe