Senators holding an inquiry into missing and murdered First Nations women and children have blasted WA Police for their failure to attend a public hearing in Perth.
Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Deputy Chair Senator Paul Scarr opened proceedings on Wednesday morning by outlining numerous attempts to have a WA Police representative front the hearing in person.
“As a Committee, we are very disappointed the WA Police Force has declined repeated requests to meet,” he said.
The Committee wrote to WA Police in August to request a representative attend, but they were denied.
The Committee tried again in September, pointing out that NSW Police counterparts have already given evidence. Again, the request was declined.
“In justifying their refusal to appear, (WA Police) referred to the fact there were different state-based agencies which acted as checks and balances with respect to the performance of their duties,” Senator Carr said.
“However, the performance of these agencies, and the interaction between WA Police and these agencies, had been a matter which had been discussed in evidence provided to this Committee.
“These were areas which we … wanted to pursue with WA Police … (and) their failure to attend has denied us that opportunity.”
The Committee also wrote to WA Police Minister Paul Papalia in September in another effort to have the police force attend the hearing but, again, the request was rejected.
WA Senator Dorinda Cox criticised the decision by the state’s police force.
“WA Police in this state are still a public service; they are not above scrutiny,” Senator Cox said.
“We do consider this an absolute disrespect from WA Police to not show up for families today to answer the questions they have around why they didn’t receive an adequate response or service in relation to their family member.
“It is a disservice on behalf of WA Police … stop batting off your responsibility as a law enforcement agency.”
Both Senators urged the organisation to reconsider their decision to not attend.
WA Police have been contacted for comment.
Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) chief executive Emma Johnson was first to front the Perth hearing, where she was grilled over reviews and investigations into complaints made against police.
She revealed the watchdog receives about 7000 allegations each year, but they only carried out 58 investigations last financial year — a rate of less than one per cent.
“That’s a matter of both the way we’re established, and also a matter of resourcing,” Ms Johnson said.
She noted data is limited but estimated about eight per cent of the complaints about police conduct received by the CCC over the last few years involved First Nations people.
Representatives from WA’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Commissioner for Children and Young People, and Women‘s Legal Service WA will also front the Committee later on Wednesday.