A Resolution of the Criminal Justice Commission to appoint an independent person to conduct preliminary inquiries reissuing of an Internet Casino Licence to Gocorp
6 August 1999
Allegations of improper conduct have been made in the media since 27 July 1999 concerning the circumstances surrounding the issuing of an Internet Casino Licence to Gocorp Pty Ltd by the Treasurer of the State of Queensland, The Honourable David John Hamill.
The Commission has commenced of its own initiative pursuant to section 29(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 1989 to obtain information in order to assess whether the circumstances surrounding the issuing of the said licence gave rise to a reasonable suspicion of official misconduct thereby enlivening the Commission's jurisdiction.
By letter to the Commission dated 2 August 1999 the Leader of the Opposition, The Honourable Rob Borbidge MLA, raised concerns of improper conduct including official misconduct concerning the issuing of the said licence.
The Commission has received a substantial quantity of documentation and other information from the Queensland Audit Office in relation to the circumstances surrounding the issuing of the licence.
The Commission is required by section 29(3)(d) (ii) of the Criminal Justice Act to investigate cases of alleged or suspected official misconduct by persons holding appointments in units of public administration that come to its notice from any source.
To ensure that it is seen to be acting independently, impartially, fairly and in the public interest, as is required by section 22 of the Act, THE COMMISSION HEREBY RESOLVES:
To engage the services of an independent qualified person pursuant to section 66 of the Criminal Justice Act:
(i) to examine the contents of the letter of the Leader of the Opposition and any other documentation and information in the possession of the Commission relating to the issuing of the said licence;
(ii) to supervise the carrying out of any enquiries by the Commission as counsel considers appropriate in order to assess whether a reasonable suspicion of official misconduct exists concerning the issuing of the said licence;
(iii) to report on the results of any such examination and enquiries and advise whether a reasonable suspicion of official misconduct exists;
(iv) if counsel advises that a reasonable suspicion of official misconduct exists, to advise on the nature of the investigation of the suspected official misconduct that the Commission should conduct, including whether public and/or private hearings should be held.