IPCA report prompts cross-party call for police accountability reforms

Police Minister Mark Mitchell has told Parliament he “cannot express how frustrated and disappointed” he has been since becoming aware of how police mishandled allegations made against former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming.

MPs delayed the start of Question Time to hold a debate on revelations police failed to adequately investigate complaints against McSkimming, who pleaded guilty last week to possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality material.

Suppression lapsed on details of that case on Tuesday and a report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) was released.

Mitchell, Labour police spokeswoman Ginny Andersen and Green police spokeswoman Tamatha Paul spoke in Parliament this afternoon.

“We have all been rocked by the finding of the IPCA report because it goes to the heart of what we have,to have trust in, which is the executive leadership of the police,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said he wanted to highlight police staff mentioned in the review who “showed exceptional moral courage” for speaking up and causing the complaints to finally be investigated.

He said legislation would probably be required to create a new Inspector-General of Police, a recommendation of the report.

Andersen said the investigation of the complaints did not live up to standards and was ultimately influenced by “rank” and “relationships”.

Paul said she wanted to “recognise the mana” of the woman at the centre of the report.

Paul used her speaking time to ask whether there could be cross-party collaboration on the recommendations of the IPCA report.

Mitchell said there would “absolutely” be a chance for cross-party collaboration and he would be happy to chair that work himself.