 Well, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Can I thank you all for coming? I'd like to acknowledge firstly, Commissioner Bob Atkinson, Police Minister Jack Dempsey, and Commissioner Designate Ian Stewart, currently the Deputy Commissioner. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to start by acknowledging the great service to the people of Queensland since 1968 of Bob Atkinson, who will be leaving the service at the end of October this year. Bob has worked in many, many roles around this state. He's been involved in very significant post Fitzgerald reforms, and he has served with distinction as the commissioner since the 1st of November 2000. So it's a very long and extensive career, but particularly a stint for 12 years at the top of the service. And truly, the job of police commissioner in any Australian state at any time is a tough job, and he has done it for a long period of time. And we really want to thank you, Bob, for all the work that you've done for Queensland. Ladies and gentlemen, however, all good things must come to an end. And over the last three to four months, there has been an extensive, transparent, and rigorous selection process to find a replacement for Commissioner Bob Atkinson. There was a selection panel headed up by John Grayson, the Director-General of the Premier's Department. We had Mr. Nick Kilty, former commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, General Peter Arneson, former Governor of Queensland, Senior Defence Force Officer, and Ms Margaret Allison, who is currently the Director-General of the Department of Communities here in Queensland. We had a nationwide recruitment process. There were 13 people who were on the long list, and that was narrowed down to a short list of five people. And in the last fortnight, the Minister and myself were informed then of the final race with two individuals, and that is the first time that we had any involvement or knowledge of the process. So today I'm delighted to announce, on behalf of the people of Queensland, that the person selected to take the torch from Bob Atkinson is Deputy Commissioner Ian Stewart. And I want to congratulate you in for winning this race. Just a few things about Ian's career. He is, of course, a career Queensland police officer. He's had 39 years' service for the people of Queensland. And I think it's something we should note today that we are delighted, as a government, that we've been able to select someone from within the QPS who will, though, continue on with the important reforms that Bob has been working on over the last few years. We're also delighted that someone as distinguished as Ian who provided that very steady sort of role during the floods and the cyclone of last year has been successful in becoming the commissioner. And I think all Queenslanders will recognise you and they'll be in that you're no stranger to them. I note that Deputy Commissioner Stewart holds a Master of Public Policy Administration and Bachelor of Business Qualifications. He's a fellow of both the Institute of Police Administration Australia and the Australian Institute of Management. He's a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Deputy Commissioner Stewart is also a recipient of the Australian Fulbright Professional Scholarship, the National Emergency Medal and the Australian Police Medal. Married to Carol and they have three adult children. So congratulations Ian. Would you like to say a few words? Premier, to you, thank you. Minister, thank you also. Commissioner Atkinson, ladies and gentlemen. I am extremely grateful for the incredible honour that has been announced today, selecting me as the commissioner designate of the Queensland Police. I do not underestimate the significant tasks ahead and the responsibility that attaches to this position. I want to acknowledge those involved in my selection and to promise all Queenslanders that I will always strive to do my best in this role as I have done throughout my career. I look forward to working with the Newman Government to implement the policy directions they have announced for policing and government agencies generally. While there are significant challenges ahead for all departments, there are also great opportunities and I intend to discuss these with government over the forthcoming weeks and months. I wish to also acknowledge the great leadership shown by Bob Atkinson over the past 12 years and thank him for his commitment to Queensland throughout his time in the commissioner's role. I look forward to working with him to ensure a seamless transition at the end of October. Finally, I wish to address all the men and women who make up what I believe is one of the finest police departments in Australia, if not the world. I thank you for your past commitment and I ask that every one of you continue to work hard each day to protect the Queensland Police reputation by ensuring we all maintain the high standards the community rightly expects of us. I am extremely proud that I will have the privilege to lead you in maintaining the security and safety of all who make up our great state. Thank you. Thanks, Rachene. Commissioner, would you like to say a few words? Indeed, Premier, thanks very much. And Premier, thank you for being at headquarters today to make this important announcement. So can I start by congratulating Ian Stewart as the commissioner delegate and wish him well in terms of his role, which he'll take up in just under a couple of months' time? There are a number of dimensions to the job of being the police commissioner. Ian Stewart, in my view, is a fine choice. He is an outstanding police officer and I'd like to acknowledge the government as well for choosing a senior member of the Queensland Police Service for this role and not going outside the organisation. I think that's been a good decision, of course, and I think Ian Stewart will, without question, discharge all of the responsibilities of the job as your commissioner with great credit. I'm very confident in the future of the Queensland Police Service. I think this is a fine and outstanding announcement today and I feel privileged and fortunate to have been able to represent you as the commissioner of this police department for what will be 12 years when I conclude. Premier, that's all I'd like to say this time. Well, I'd like to say thanks as well, but we'll have a few more farewells as well. I think we'll have a meld of farewells, too. There you go, commissioner, thank you. Did you want to say anything, Jack, at all? Just briefly, I'd just obviously like to congratulate the commissioner designator, Ian Stewart, is a very proud professional and a great leader. We saw his leadership through the floods and the cyclones and other tragedies that have occurred throughout Queensland and I know that he has a great relationship with the people of Queensland. He wants to work hard for the people of Queensland and I look forward to working with him and obviously, still our current commissioner, Bob Atkinson over the next days, weeks and months to have this seamless transition for the people of Queensland and so we can maintain a proud professional Queensland police service that has the support of the people of Queensland and I know that Ian will do a great job and I wish him and his family all the best for the years ahead. Thank you. Over to you, ladies and gentlemen. I, Ian Stewart, stand out ahead of all the rest of the panel. Look, obviously there's an independent panel and that independent panel got down to five very distinct and distinguished officers and obviously that independent panel gave us that name and Ian's quality of leadership. Obviously, his expertise that he was shown through the number of disasters, particularly the floods and the cyclones but also the reforms that the Queensland police service will be going through in the next couple of years and he does have an expertise, particularly in the technical side in relation to IT and his previous performances with QPrime and I know that he will work well for the people of Queensland and he also has a great empathy and respect from the rank and file within the Queensland police service. It's a tough job, it's one of the toughest in the state and I know he's already exhibited great leadership, he will bring him to the fall. How tough is the job? Is it a tough job? It has its moments but it's a great job. It's a privilege to be able to do it, it really is and if you've been a career police officer and that's what you've devoted your life to, then to be able to represent your department, to have a contract with the government to fulfil the role, to be responsible for what the police do which is to provide for the safety and security of the people of Queensland, then that's a great privilege. I don't think he needs too much advice from me. You'll write a little letter and pop it in the desk, Troy. I think he's more than capable of doing this job in his own way and I feel very relaxed and confident about the future of the organisation under his leadership. Sorry Commissioner, when and how were you told and are you surprised? To all three, I only learnt about this privately last night for the very first time as an adjunct to the overall selection process which has been quite rigorous. Certainly I was very happy that I have been given this privilege and as I said I am a very, very proud police officer but I'm a very proud Queenslander and I am grateful that I've been given this opportunity and I'll strive hard every day to live up to that. Were you surprised? I think it's one of those things that when you're up against a great competition as I was, you always have in the back of your mind that you can certainly look at the prize but whether it's going to be yours, you don't know. And there were great competition. The people who were shortlisted in particular certainly are people that I have a huge amount of respect for. How long have you signed on to do the job for? The normal contract is a three plus two option and I understand that that's what the government will offer me. You mentioned that there were challenges so handed in great opportunities. What do you see as those challenges and opportunities? Obviously the fiscal issues that the state is currently struggling with certainly that's probably at the forefront of my mind. Technology and Queensland Police has over a number of years put in place a range of foundation blocks that will allow us to capitalise on technology to make our people's jobs safer and more efficient. And in this type of environment where we're watching every penny we've got to balance the cost of that technology and how we roll it out. The other major issue for me will be the fact that G20 is on our doorstep. It's only less than a couple of years away and that's going to take a huge amount of effort on our part as an organisation to deal with professionally. No mention of rebuilding the relationship with the CMC amongst the challenges there? I think we have a very good relationship with the CMC and certainly one of the things that I'll be doing in the next couple of months during the transition period is talking to Ross Martin and making sure that our relationship is as strong as ever. We don't always agree with the CMC but I think that that's a very healthy way for it to be. But certainly at a professional level I look forward to working with Ross Martin in his role. Can I just throw in as well? I should have said lays in terms of due process just for the avoidance of doubt, of course, following the required legal process. Ross Martin was consulted with this appointment. Has it given us approval, so in rough? Oh, yes, of course, yes. And Mr. Stewart, what about police discipline reform? Are you still going further with that? Is or is what you think it's good enough at the current time? I don't think you can ever stand still on any of our programs or our systems. Obviously, things change very, very rapidly. Our environment's always moving. If you stand still, you're actually going backwards. I think there is room for improvement in the police discipline process and I'll be working and talking to government about that, the initiative to take that forward. What areas do you think need? I think there's a whole range of areas, particularly in the managerial guidance area that can be perhaps delegated back down to supervisors where it should be and certainly we'll discuss that. But the other, probably the other major area is the speed at which we address some of the investigations. It's unfortunate, part of it is our culture that when we do investigations, we certainly go into detail. I often wonder whether we need to go to that level if we can get agreement with the officers concerned of the issues that they're dealing with. What about post-par mileage recommendations about commissioners being empowered to sack officers and things like that? That's certainly, you're talking about commissioners confidence and certainly that's an issue that over time I'm sure that I will have a discussion with the minister and ultimately the government. Will it stay the Queensland Police Service under you or will it change to the Queensland Police Force? I haven't had that discussion. There are obviously, there's always issues in terms of names. 85% of our people have never been part of the Queensland, were never part of the Queensland Police Service, of course, sorry, they are part of the Queensland Police Service but that's a matter for further discussions with the minister. Will you be doing a tour of some of the regions that you haven't got to during your disaster sort of from work? One of the privileges I have is spending a lot of time in aircraft and I've certainly been around the state. In fact, last year I think I went to every indigenous community at least twice and that's right across the state and in that travelling I get to a lot of the other areas. So certainly I see the role of the commissioner just as I see it as the role of a deputy to be out there talking to our people on the ground, making sure that we understand the issues that they're facing. Was it always a goal of yours, a dream, to become commissioner? I've always had a dream of doing the very, very best I can at the rank level I'm at and if the promotion comes from that, well, I'm good. Certainly I've always had that level of, that spark though for to move up and to move on. But I, you know, it's almost surreal to be selected for this particular role and the timing for me is just wonderful. What sort of advocate will you be for the service facing these cuts? Are you willing to push back against the general and beside you and has the proposed cuts? Trisha's not here, Mike. Hi, hi, hi, hi. Yeah, I didn't mean you had to say that. Have you been briefed as to where those cuts are going and how deep they're going to be? I've certainly been part of the internal processes that we've been carrying through looking at what the implications are of cuts to our organisation, of the fiscal restraint that's necessary for all agencies. And into the future, I would think if the roles were reversed, I'd be very disappointed if my new commissioner didn't push back. I mean, part of my role, as I see, is that to have rigorous discussions with government about the needs of the department, and I'd certainly be taking that ball right up to the Premier and to the minister. How big a challenge do you think the biking situation is? I don't think we should ever lose sight of outlaw motorcycle gang and what they represent. And certainly, that's an area that we can never drop the ball on. We have Task Force Hydra, and I think it's one of our most successful areas of the organisation. But it's like many of the policing issues. You can single out single... Single out issues such as the OMCGs. You can single out issues of dealing with alcohol, fuel, violence. The point is that we've got to be rigorous in all of the things that we do every day. It's a very, very broad spectrum that our people face with. Premier, you said that this short list came down to two. Who is the other person? That's, of course, not appropriate at all that I would talk about that. I'm afraid. But there were great people on that list. Fantastic people. It was a strong competition. You said you had a direct message there for the troops about, you know, your new role. Speaking to that officer that pulls someone up for speeding tonight or whatever, what do you say to them about your role as the new commissioner? How are you going to be there for that? I expect them to do their job. I expect them, though, to remain professional at all times. We equip and train our people to manage any circumstance they find themselves in. Even if that means use the force right up to deadly force, I mean, that's why our officers are so well trained. But I expect them to maintain the standards and do the job that we require them to do. Premier, or minister, one of the thinking, one of the recommendations of the Fitzgerald report was to always consider, when appointing a commissioner, someone from outside. And the thinking has been echoed throughout the Western world in regards to policing, that they should often consider bringing someone in new to shake it up, someone from outside of the structure. Was that a consideration you've made mentioned that you're happy that he's been working with you? Oh, look, that's a fair question. Look, in terms of the selection panel, I think it's fair to say that they were, because initially when we set this up, we, you know, they had their terms of reference, if you like, as the panel. And I mentioned John Grayson's role as the director general. But it was very much in their mind about going external, someone from outside the organization, for the reasons that you have said versus an internal candidate. And that was part of their deliberations, as I understand it. So they did make that call. But, you know, I just put forward that I think in someone who's not going to just accept the status quo. And that's no disrespect to Bob, who's here with us today. It's about he wants to improve the organization. And he knows that there are technological changes and challenges he's reflected on, all sorts of new pressures on policing that we have to come to grips with. And, you know, so this bloke is going to be a reformer just as much as I think is an external person. And what did you say to Caroline and the kids when you got that phone call? I was actually with Carol and the kids when I got the, well, two of the three when I got the phone call last night. And it was a very interesting conversation. They were very happy. Good father's day for them? It was a great father's day for them. Who are you just waiting for? I'm a big father. Absolutely, I will, in fact. I've actually drafted the tweet straight after this conference. Because he said he would, he would. It's going to change the handle, right? It's going to change the decision. How are you and Mr Atkinson going to work together? How's it going to work for the next couple of months? Well, the commissioner might want to comment on that. But certainly I've been working with the commissioner for the last four years. And we have a very, very good professional relationship. And I expect that to consider over the next two months. Obviously, there will be issues of handing over particular matters and certainly briefings. And I certainly hope that the commissioner will provide certain advice to me on some of those. Will you get the leave going and you take a back step? So how does it work? We'll do it together and we'll do it in such a way as Ian said that when I leave on the 31st of October and he starts on the 1st of November, it will be as seamless and effortless and as smooth as is possible. And basically, my intention is to fade out as the 31st gets closer and Ian will take over. And that's what I mean when we both mean by seamless and effortless. And we've got the opportunity to do that now. Clearly, it's a very busy time. Ian will have things that he'll want to wrap up. Coincidentally, I've got four days leave starting tomorrow and Ian will be relieving me as the acting commissioner. And that was planned some little time ago. But I'm very confident in our ability to do this in a way that's best for the public, the community, and the police department. What now for you? Sorry. What now for you? What now for me? Look, I haven't actually given that much thought. The Premier and the police minister kept me terribly busy over these last few months. So what I thought I'd do is stay really focused on this job until the end. And I didn't want to be distracted by thinking about that. I have been extraordinarily privileged to have been able to do this for what will be 12 years when I conclude. And that's something that I'm very grateful for. So I'll think about the future when I conclude this job. Any last things that you'd like to do before you leave the job? Any last goals or anything you had? I think we're in good shape. But I also think that Ian Stewart will provide the leadership necessary to take us into the next dimension. I thoroughly endorse the comments that have been made here today. If a police department ever thinks that it can't improve and we've done all we can and can't be any better, then that's fatal. We need to continually be looking at better in different ways to do things and Ian Stewart will provide, not just with technology, but he'll provide the basis, whether it's discipline, your question, or in other ways, to take us forward into the future. Ian, up to Palm Island and what's happened with the Maalusara and the CMC appeal against the police are handling of the Warren Flynn case. What message do you have to Indigenous communities to show a different direction or how are you going to do things differently? I've been very lucky over the last couple of years to be the internal Indigenous champion of the Queensland Police Service. And I was appointed by the commission to that role and certainly that came after, surely after one of the CMC reports. I have a very, what I believe is a very strong relationship with the Indigenous community in Queensland as well as other cultural groups in Queensland and I have certainly worked hard to enjoy that trust and develop that relationship. Again, this is about understanding the issues that they're dealing with on a daily basis and I do mean those, particularly the more isolated communities to work with them, certainly for the betterment of the entire community of Queensland, not just the Indigenous community. Are there specific things that you would work on though? I think you've made a lot of statements there, but what specifically would you do? Absolutely. There are a number of programs that we've been looking at in terms of our relationship with Indigenous Queensland. But there are matters that obviously I'd like to discuss with the minister and the commissioner, sorry, and the premier, there are matters of ideas that we've had for some time that we can implement, perhaps to strengthen that relationship. And again, this is about continuous improvement at all times in that engagement with all of the community. And what advice have you got to the government who's currently talking about reviewing alcohol management plans from a policing perspective? What would you recommend? Absolutely, that we are part of that review process and I was aware that the government had agreed to that arrangement and in fact their department's already preparing to work with the government as they review those plans. Then once every one of your boss likes to put his stamp on things, is the police service ready? Are you going to shake it upside down and turn it inside out? I mean, what seems to you are going to do straight away? I think there are a number of issues that are out there that we can look at. There are a number of reviews that I'd like to conduct as part of our process of renewal in the organisation as part of that continuous improvement. Many of those have been flagged by the government's review generally of the public service and we're into that mode already as an organisation. Structure, the structure of our organisation, we have had the same structure for over 20 years now and other departments have changed their structures a number of times in that same period. That's one thing that we're going to have to look at in terms of, is it the best structure? Do we have the best rank process in terms of from top to bottom in the communication flows that occur? So there's a range of issues there again that I'd like to discuss with the Minister and ultimately the Premier. What's your views on A&Ps? Do you think they've worked or have they run their course? And these are, I mean, there's a blanket effect at the moment, it's 19 communities, 19 A&Ps. What do you think they've worked and what do you think are the parameters for change? I think it's very timely that we're having a review of those arrangements. I mean, certainly there's always going to be fores and against for any of these processes and ultimately that's what the government is for to make decisions at that level and we'll work with the government as they conduct those reviews and certainly I hope that we get, well, I am sure that we will get a fair hearing from government on the issues that we are close to our heart, particularly the safety and security of the people in those communities. Do you think that they've been affected in reducing violence and other social problems? I believe there has been a reduction in violence but there are a whole range of variables and you may be able to achieve the same outcome in a different way. But again, I think that that's the positiveness that comes from a proper review, a proper structured review and having all parties to that review put submissions forward and we will certainly do that as an organisation. In last video I saw a case where an officer had smuggled or been involved in smuggling 20 cartons of beer into dormitory if you, in 2008 or 2009, you have saw the disciplinary action on that. Do you think of having our commencement plans as a disincentive for your staff? I think that I should be very aware about commenting on that particular case because it's still before the review process. Will all agencies like you go from your leisure? I'm sorry, could you... Sorry, will all assisted commissioners jobs be safe under your leisure? Or is there one thing that you're looking at? No, certainly I said that the structure of the organisation is one thing that we do need to look at. That will occur over a period of time. It will depend on the needs of the organisation once that review is completed. Do you think it's too top-heavy? Do you feel that ACs or the Chief Super's... Certainly, I'll be very interested in what the review outcome is. And how tough is this? Are you going to be on bad behaviour in the police force? Like road cogs, things like that. Are you going to crack down on them? I think my history shows that I have very, very strong standards and I ensure that people are aware of those standards. And my tweeting, actually, I've used my tweets to reinforce those standards, but more generally, my sanctions that I hand out through the discipline process have spoken volumes about what my expectations are on behalf of the community at Queensland. In other words, what level of behaviour do we expect of our people? It's a very high bar. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm conscious of the time now. We go for half an hour, so we better start to wind up. Do you have the cash reward? The Gonski review, do you... Well, we finished with the Commissioner-designant and the police matters. One more question, I'll take three. Will there be any changes to state crime operations command? Certainly. When I said there'd be a review of the organisational structure, I meant the whole organisation, not just the regional part of the organisation. I'll be looking at all of them. Will we have state crime operations command? Their room is going around, so that the whole thing will be thrown out. I can't foresee a time where we will need squads of elite investigators. That's at the heart of our organisation. So, but what that organisation looks like in the future is something that I will discuss with the Minister once we've done our reviews. Mr. Stewart, did you have any issues with the coming in time of those who go to the police academy? And do you have any concerns about the reported lack of training, tasers, community fire? No, I certainly have heard of these concerns, and I am sure that the officers who run the academy and who are in charge of the curriculum at the academy have made these adjustments in a proper way. So I am not concerned bearing in mind that our recruit training doesn't go only for the period people are in the academy. In fact, it goes for another 12 months past that in a structured and formatted way. And just for clarifications there, I'd just like the Commissioner just to comment in relation to a lot of misinformation. Please, Commissioner. Thanks, Minister. In reality, the course has only been trimmed slightly, but the taser and fire arms training is not diminished at all. That's right. Not diminished at all, and that's unfortunately been in some areas probably misrepresented, so that part of it. And look, our program is a very good program. It's six months, and as Ian Stewart said, then for the next 12 months after officers are sworn in as constables, they're with a field training officer for the entire 12 months.