Mr. Mick Clifford:

That is quite possible. I am not really sure what the reason is. I find it difficult to understand, particularly because several State agencies, as a result of previous experience, now farm out investigations to outside agencies. Obviously, those agencies are paid by the hour. The case to which I referred went on for the best part of a year. I find it amazing that it took so long. Notwithstanding that, one of the issues that has arisen in several of these investigations is slow co-operation from people asked to provide evidence. That has definitely been an issue and it is ongoing. I do not know whether it is because they have become overly legalistic. It may be the case that some of these agencies are involved in several different jobs and, therefore, only dedicate a certain amount of time to each investigation on a weekly or monthly basis. I find it very difficult to understand how it continues to take so long.

The other issue in that regard is that once an investigation is completed, there is often a protracted period before the whistleblower is informed that there has been an outcome - he or she is not given the full result - and told what exactly is being done in pursuit of it. That is also an issue that is protracted.