Police Minister Paul Holloway’s lack of action after being told of a secret listening device in Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) offices at Police Headquarters was negligent and unbelievable.
Under questioning in Parliament today, Mr. Holloway conceded he had been told three weeks ago by the Police Association of concerns that there was a secret listening device in an ACB interview room on the sixth floor at Police Headquarters.
Shadow Police Minister Rob Lucas said today that Mr. Holloway confessed he did not seek an immediate explanation from the Police Commissioner, but instead claimed he was busy and going on an overseas trip the next day.
“Mr. Holloway obviously hasn’t worked out that telephones work in overseas countries!!
“Mr. Holloway had the responsibility of immediately discussing this issue with the Police Commissioner and establishing when the Commissioner was first advised of this issue and satisfying himself that appropriate action had been taken.
“In particular, Police Minister Holloway had a responsibility of establishing whether this issue had been referred to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and when it had been referred.
Mr. Holloway today told Parliament that the Police Commissioner had been advised in February, but the issue had only been referred to the PCA last Thursday. This was about two weeks after Police Minister Holloway had been advised of the issues.
“It is simply unbelievable that Mr. Holloway did not raise this issue immediately with the Police Commissioner, but rather chose to ignore the issue and go on his overseas trip.”