Under the Criminal Justice Act 1989 RV Hanson was authorised to constitute the Commission to conduct a hearing for the purpose of discharging its functions and responsibilities allotted to the Official Misconduct Division in relation to the matter specified in the following schedules-
Schedule 1
To conduct a hearing into an investigation as to whether:
- any officer or Commissioner of the Criminal Justice Commission has, contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1989, released the information concerning Operation Wallah which was published in the Courier-Mail and Australian newspapers between 11 March 1995 and 25 March 1995 as specified in Schedule 2;
- any of the members or staff of the Parliamentary Criminal Justice Committee have, contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1989, released the information concerning Operation Wallah which was published in the Courier-Mail and Australian newspapers between 11 March 1995 and 25 March 1995 as specified in Schedule 2;
- any officer of the Queensland Police Service has, contrary to the provisions of the Police Service Administration Act 1990, released the information concerning Operation Wallah which was published in the Courier-Mail and Australian newspapers between 11 March 1995 and 25 March 1995 as specified in Schedule 2.
Schedule 2
11 March 1995 - Weekend Australian - "Richardson tried to help businessman" and "Richo met US defence supplier"
13 March 1995 - Courier-Mail - "FBI probes Richo mate" and "Richo mate centre of FBI arms probe"
14 March 1995 - Courier Mail - "CJC slams 'slow' feds - Richo 'mate' case delayed"
15 March 1995 - Courier-Mail - "Top crime bodies in bitter row"
16 March 1995 - Courier-Mail - "CJC feared radiation at ex-shopping centre"
17 March 1995 - Courier-Mail - "Storm over CJC leaks"
18 March 1995 - Courier-Mail - "Push on for Senate Richo-link inquiry"
25 March 1995 - Courier-Mail - "Richo report ruckus" and "Row over Richo report"
Investigative hearings took place on:
- July 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31.
- August 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28 and 29.
- October 19 and 20.
48 witnesses were called to give evidence, and 272 exhibits were tendered. Of those many were made confidential exhibits with access restricted to legal representatives appearing, together with necessary consultations with their clients.
