House of Representatives

Second Reading Speech

Mr DREYFUS (Isaacs - Attorney-General and Cabinet Secretary)

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill makes consequential amendments to the Commonwealth statute book to support the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

This bill ensures the commission has key investigative powers, such as the ability to obtain warrants to use surveillance devices and intercept telecommunications when investigating criminal and corrupt conduct, where existing statutory thresholds are met. This is consistent with current arrangements for the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity.

It also ensures information can be shared with and by the commission under other acts for the purpose of carrying out its functions.

The bill also repeals the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Act 2006 and provides transitional arrangements for the continuation of investigations and inquiries being conducted by the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity following the establishment of the commission.

The commission will be able to complete those investigations or inquiries either under the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Act 2006 or under the National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill if they could involve corrupt conduct that is serious or systemic.

Finally, this bill gives the commission and certain state anticorruption and investigative commissions access to the industry assistance framework under part 15 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

The ability to obtain technical assistance from communication industry participants will support those agencies' exercise of investigative powers to investigate serious criminal, corrupt conduct.

Debate adjourned.