Premier

Royal Commission Implementation Monitor Appointed

28 February 2021

An independent Implementation Monitor has been appointed to oversee the implementation of all recommendations handed down by the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants.

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes announced today that Sir David Carruthers has been appointed to the crucial role which will report annually on progress – keeping future reforms on track while bolstering community confidence in the justice system.

The Implementation Monitor will ensure recommendations are delivered in a transparent and timely manner, providing oversight and accountability as we move through the implementation process.

Sir David is an eminent member of the legal community. He was appointed as a judge of New Zealand’s Family Court and the Youth Court in Wellington in 1985 and then Chief District Court Judge in 2001.

In 2005, Sir David was appointed Chair of the New Zealand Parole Board and in 2012 became Chair of the New Zealand Independent Police Conduct Authority.

He was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2005 and was knighted in 2009 for his service to the District Courts.

Legislation providing the Implementation Monitor with all necessary and reasonable powers to fulfil the role will be introduced into Parliament later this year.

Delivering on another of the Royal Commission’s key recommendations, the Government has also appointed an independent Senior Counsel to review and report on 11 human source files that were not provided to the Commission by Victoria Police on public interest immunity grounds.

The review will provide a further assurance to the Victorian community that any circumstances where a lawyer has been used as a human source have been uncovered.

The Government will implement all 111 recommendations handed down by the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants.

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes

“The Royal Commission gave us a clear blueprint for restoring public confidence in the justice system by making sure these events never happen again.”

“We’re getting on with implementing all the recommendations from the Royal Commission and the Implementation Monitor will play a vital role in holding this progress to account.”

“I congratulate Sir David on the appointment and welcome his expert guidance and acumen as we implement all recommendations and deliver strong reform to our justice system.”

Reviewed 01 March 2021

Was this page helpful?