CCC Commissioner Hammond announces retirement plans

Western Australia's chief corruption fighter will retire next year after three years at the helm of the powerful Crime and Corruption Commission.

Kevin Hammond, 70, says he will retire at the end of March after almost 47 years as a lawyer, judge and as the inaugural CCC commissioner.

"The commission is now firmly established and undertaking work I believe is of great benefit to the Western Australian community," Mr Hammond said.

The CCC expected to complete its current public hearings by the end of next February, so March was a good time for a handover, he said.

"There are a number of cases currently being considered by the commission including the Mallard matter for which it is expected public hearings will be held some time after the completion of the current hearings."

The Mallard public hearings will look at whether there was any impropriety in the role of public officers in the murder probe and prosecution of Andrew Mallard for the 1994 death of 43-year-old Pamela Lawrence in Mosman Park.

Mr Mallard spent 11 years in jail for the murder before his conviction was quashed last year and a retrial ordered.

A police cold case review has subsequently cleared Mallard and revealed the most likely murderer was British backpacker Simon Rochford, 38, who killed himself in a WA jail in May after being named a suspect.

The CCC has claimed several scalps since it was set up three years ago to fight corruption in the state.

The most recent was that of former small business minister Norm Marlborough, who was sacked after it was revealed in CCC public hearings this month that he was taking instructions from disgraced former premier Brian Burke.

The full text of a CCC announcement is pasted below

Corruption and Crime Commission Commissioner, Kevin Hammond, has announced he will retire at the end of March 2007.

"My decision is solely based on the fact that I turn 71 in April next year and believe it is time to enjoy retirement after almost 47 years as a lawyer, judge and most recently, CCC Commissioner.

"I informed the government of my decision at the beginning of this month and the decision has been timed to minimise any disruption to the Commission's continuing operations and to give time to appoint a successor.

"On my retirement I will have completed more than three years at the Commission in what is a demanding position.

"The Commission is now firmly established and undertaking work I believe is of great benefit to the Western Australian community.

"It's been an honour to have been the inaugural Commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission."

Commissioner Hammond said the Commission expects to complete its current public hearings by the end of February next year, so March is a good time for a handover.

"There are a number of cases currently being considered by the Commission including the Mallard matter for which it is expected public hearings will be held sometime after the completion of the current hearings.

"A three-year review of our Act is due next year and I am quite willing to contribute to that review as I believe strong, independent oversight bodies are an essential part of modern democracies."

Mr Hammond said he understood the position of Commissioner would be advertised nationwide next Saturday.