Royal Commission stamps 30-year suppression on evidence given by Cabinet ministers and chief executives on March 15 terror attack
The Royal Commission into March 15 terror attack has stamped 30-year-long suppressions on evidence given by ministers and senior public servants raising concerns that accountability may be dodged.
The commission’s report, which will be released by the Government on Tuesday, is expected to detail any failings within government organisations, including police and the spy agencies, in the lead up to the terror attack – including how the terrorist obtained a firearms licence.
Among the widespread suppression rulings made by the commission are the permanent suppression of the police staff involved in granting the Australian-national a firearms licence, including the two people who vouched for the terrorist.
Stuff has previously reported on police’s failure to properly scrutinise the terrorist, wrongly licencing him to purchase the stockpile of semi-automatic guns later used to murder 51 people.
Islamic Women’s Council national coordinator Anjum Rahman was concerned the suppression of evidence given by ministers and chief executives, in particular, might prevent accountability for negligence, wrong-doing, and incompetence.
She said a coroners’ inquest into the terror attack may be required if accountability was obstructed.
“That’s a concern. There needs to be some kind of accountability … if this royal commission process can’t deliver that … the next step has to be a coroners’ inquest.”
She said she remained frustrated at the commission’s process, which prevented the evidence put forward by government agencies from being contested.
“We still, and have continually, expressed our frustration that we weren’t able to hear what these agencies have said, or challenge their information.”
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