G'day Bruce,

I have a million ideas - all obviously within the budget of a fiscally tight environment - fiscal policy with which I have extensive experience.

Okay - first port of call - are all the Uni's who deliver both Law and Justice programs teaching the ACLEI legislation? This would be a good starting point - incorporating the legislation into curriculum.

Second - has anyone within the academic realm considered Philip Moss - the Integrity Commissioner - as a guest speaker/lecturer?

Third - all Australian Civil Libertarian Groups need to be made aware not only of the organisations existence, but also the Legislation which supports it.

Fourth - all organisations at the State and Federal Level that have an integrity/internal investigation capacity need to be aware of the organisation and also the legislation.

Fifth - all Police Unions, Corrective Service Unions, Public Service Unions et al need to be made aware of the body.

Now - Bar Associations nationally, law journals etc etc - education through these networks.

Obviously starting with awareness within the 'justice community' is probably the most effective and 'cheap' option and including the new organisation and legislation into curriculum ASAP.

To educate the public would be an expensive process - unless you know someone with a bucket load of money prepared to fund a media advertising campaign.

Targeting existing stakeholder networks is probably the easiest...once awareness is raised within the justice community then there will be the capacity to harness them as an effective powerful lobby group. Any case made for adequate funding by the Federal Government of the ACLEI by such a lobby group will have a high probability of success.

Where to next Bruce?

Sounds sensible ILMC, but as you say could be expensive. What about putting Debus in the loop, together with ACT govt. and Canberra Times (article would need to be written for them). Also ABC RN The Law Report, could send them a copy of the CT article.
All the best
Bruce

Greetings again...Bruce,

Well the Canberra Times isn't known for its objectivity when it comes to the AFP. The only time they became savage it was aimed at one of the truly beautiful souls in Federal Law Enforcement - Audrey Fagan - may the gorgeous petal rest in peace. However if you have faith in them perhaps this is a plausible option.

I think journalists like Hedley Thomas of The Australian, John Kidman of the Sydney Morning Herald and Ross Coulthard - the Sunday Program - are all well versed in issues surrounding Federal Law Enforcement weakenesses. They would all be open to an objective story...

Now I must admit to having little experience with ABC RN - I was interviewed once a few years back - but that was in relation to community development projects I had been involved in. If you think this is a viable option - then I believe you.

Debus and also John Faulkner...I would think.

So who will write the article?

I understand you know Dr Kennedy from UWS - he certainly has an opinion or two about the AFP! And has written several 'opinion' pieces for the SMH... maybe a collaboration? Dr Kennedy knows how to contact me - if you would like my assistance to write...assuming you're interested in moving the issue forward...I am deducing that you may well be.

Also from the ACLEI website it would seem that they are yet to publish any reports or hold any hearings...just how you would find out what they have been doing I don't know. Any suggestions?

Bruce, as I said earlier you are a man after my own heart. I take a simple day trip to Lismore and arrive home to find your article on the ABC news website with a serious comment process underway! Excellent stuff!

ILMC,
I have also sent the piece to Civil Liberties Australia. Faulkner has a copy from several sources and I sent a copy to Debus. Thomas no longer a journalist. That is interesting in itself and raises the question why he left his profession when he was just starting to make a name and a good career for himself. I spoke to him and I was not enlightened. Coulthart I know and he is busy in the right sort of way. Yes Michael Kennedy would be great if he has the time. You are right about the Canberra Times. Jack Waterford has been OK but mainly concerned with local policing issues. Keelty has tried his hand at bullying all the mainstream media outlets and under Howard he had some success.
Lack of accountability has led to some bad errors by the AFP and there will be more. Lack of brain power and arrogance are big contributing factors as you know.
All the best
Bruce

Hi Bruce,

That is very sad news about Hedley - he hasn't had a good run as a journalist - he has been targetted a couple of times - poor petal. I hope he is okay.

Well - let me know if there is anything I can do to help. I will be sending hugely positive, supportive thoughts your way!