Freedom of Information

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:55): Supplementary question: is the Attorney-General in charge of the government's investigations unit, and can't the Attorney-General refer matters to the government's investigation unit for investigation?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations) (14:55): I thank the honourable member for his question. Alas, I think the government investigation unit was the victim of either the former treasurer or his predecessor some time ago. And, if I am wrong about that, I think it's fair to say that the government investigation unit was certainly not an agency capable of compelling evidence, and it was at best, I think you could say, in a position something like a police officer would be if they were denuded of all of their powers under the Police Act.