As 2024 draws to a close, I wish to reflect publicly on the importance of accountability,
transparency and integrity in public life.
As well as recent headlines regarding various Police Conduct matters, there have been a series of stories in recent years reporting disciplinary and criminal matters taken up against members of the uniformed services and those in positions
of significant power and influence in our community.
These individual cases may raise questions about standards and integrity in public life. Whilst
some of these cases have shown up criminal, concerning or unacceptable behaviour, this is in
fact a powerful demonstration that our accountability systems, whilst they could be stronger, are indeed working.
Individuals in every walk of life make errors of judgement and sometimes show character flaws through their behaviour. That does not necessarily mean that those institutions are, in and of themselves, corrupt or failing.
I have been steadfast during my tenure in ensuring that those who serve the public in roles or institutions accountable to me are properly and fairly held to a high standard of conduct. I am pleased, therefore, that in recent years, the systems and processes that enable accountability
have been applied effectively, fairly and with an appropriate degree of transparency.
Public service is a privilege. The public rightly has high expectations around the conduct,
integrity and accountability of all public servants. We must be accountable to the people we serve. Fulfilling those expectations is a fundamental element of working in public service.
When cases reach the public domain, I would encourage you to consider that knowledge of
these matters, and the functioning of systems to investigate them following due process is
symbolic of good governance in a well- functioning liberal democratic system.
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