McKechnie likely for CCC role
Senior Supreme Court judge and former director of public prosecutions John McKechnie is the frontrunner to become WA's new Corruption and Crime Commissioner.
_The West Australian _ understands that Justice McKechnie is the most prominent name among the three to be presented within days to Premier Colin Barnett by Chief Justice Wayne Martin.
It is believed Justice McKechnie, 65, was sounded out about the position by Chief Justice Martin, who chairs the nominating committee, before Christmas and was prepared to take on the role.
Senior legal sources described him yesterday as fair-minded, hardworking and eminently qualified to be commissioner.
Applications for the position formally closed on January 30.
The impending appointment will end a 15-month search for a commissioner.
Roger Macknay announced his retirement in November 2013, midway through his term, before stepping down in April.
Since late 2013, the CCC has been buffeted by negative headlines, including investigators being accused of misappropriating funds and a later withdrawn suggestion by its Parliamentary Inspector that it attempted to "thwart" the resulting WA Police investigation.
Details emerged this week of confidential payouts to CCC investigators claiming harassment and a former employee being charged with drug offences.
On Wednesday, Mr Barnett revived talk of refocusing the CCC to tackle organised crime after declaring it had failed to live up to expectations.
Justice McKechnie is in charge of the dangerous sexual offenders list at the Supreme Court.
He joined the court in 1999, after eight years as WA's first DPP.
Late last year the Government passed changes to the commissioner's remuneration, allowing former judges to keep their judicial pension - 60 per cent of their bench salary for life - while earning a separate wage at the CCC.
In the role, Justice McKechnie would earn $711,000 a year, making it WA's best-rewarded public sector position.
Attorney-General Michael Mischin said it would be inappropriate to speculate on candidates before Mr Barnett had received the list of nominations.
Justice McKechnie was contacted for comment.
