Police accept High Court decision on Hewison case

Police National Crime Manager, Detective Superintendent Bill Bishop said that Police accepted the High Court decision today.

This is an exceptional case and the judgement found the police failed to provide reasonable assistance to Mr Hewison in his application to achieve permanent residence in Australia. However the judgement also indicated Police had met all other obligations.

“The court recognised that any efforts by the Police either now or in the past would not necessarily guarantee that Mr Hewison’s residency application would be successful. Mr Hewison himself recognised that during the hearing,” said Mr Bishop.

“The Police will now work with Mr Hewison and his legal advisors to ensure that we comply with the judgement of the court.”

Mr Bishop said Hewison has at no time been part of the witness protection programme. Those witnesses who do form part of the witness protection programme can be assured that the programme is operated professionally and with integrity.

Mr Hewison was an informant for Police and it is in only one respect that the court has declared that the Police should have done more to assist Mr Hewison.

“The Police deal with a wide range of informants on a daily basis who are valued and have confidence in the officers they are dealing with. Mr Hewison’s situation should be seen as an exception.

ENDS