With reference to the answer to question on notice no. 2195 (Hansard, 26 June 2000, page 14673) in which the Minister indicated that two matters relating to corruption were referred to the National Crime Authority for investigation, how many matters of a general nature or otherwise, irrespective of whether the case related to corruption, were referred for the investigation of.. (a) members of State or Commonwealth Parliaments or the staff; (b) members of the judiciary or their staff; (c) people who might reasonably be classified as senior public servants; and (d) any registered political party, its staff or executive members. (This extends to criminal activity of any kind and, is not limited to corruption offences).

With reference to the answer to question on notice no 2195 (Hansard, 26 June 2000, p. 14673) the answer did not indicate that two matters relating to corruption were referred to the National Crime Authority for investigation. As stated in that answer, the present references are issued to the NCA in broad terms. The references do not name specific individuals rather they refer to allegations of a general nature. The answer referred only to those of the many allegations within the references which in their terms could relate to the persons in the categories (a) to (d).

Because the broad terms of those references do not restrict the NCA as to who may be investigated, they do not specifically identify persons in the categories (a) to (d), whether in relation to corruption or more generally.

As stated in my previous answer, prior to the issue of the present form of references in 1998, specific persons were named for the purpose of NCA references. However the Authority has no direct knowledge that any of those persons came within the categories (a) to (d) between March 1996 and 1998.