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Lawyer X inquiry gets NZ monitor to keep reforms on track
A seasoned New Zealand judge and chair of its independent police conduct authority body has been asked to oversee recommendations from the Lawyer X inquiry.
Naomi Neilson
Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes has appointed New Zealand Judge Sir David Carruthers to oversee the implementation of all recommendations handed down by the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants (RCMPI). His role is to keep track of reforms while bolstering confidence in the justice system.
Legislation will be provided to Sir David with all necessary and reasonable powers to fulfil the role. It is due before Parliament later this year.
Ms Symes said: “The royal commission gave us a clear blueprint for restoring public confidence in the justice system by making sure these events never happen again.
“We’re getting on with implementing all the recommendations from the commission and the implementation monitor will play a vital role in holding progress to account.”
Sir David is an eminent member of the New Zealand legal community, having been appointed judge of its Family Court and the Youth Court in Wellington in 1985 and then chief District Court judge in 2001. In 2005, he was appointed chair of the NZ Parole Board and, in 2012, chair of the NZ Independent Police Conduct Authority.
He was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2005 and was knighted in 2009 for his service to the District Court.
“I congratulate Sir David on the appointment and welcome his expert guidance and acumen as we implement all recommendations and deliver strong reform to our justice system,” Ms Symes commented.
The Victorian government has also appointed an independent senior counsel to review and report on 11 human source files that were not provided to the royal commission by Victoria Police on public interest immunity grounds.
The government will implement all 111 recommendations handed down by RCMPI.
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
You can email Naomi at:
