By EUGENE BINGHAM
The terms of reference for an inquiry into the failed Incis police computer are to be reviewed by the new Government.
A commission of inquiry appointed by the previous Administration is due to hold its first public hearing today, as Labour MPs who have spent years calling for an investigation size up their new seats in power.
George Hawkins, tipped to become Minister of Police, said yesterday that the inquiry would certainly go ahead, but it would probably be looked at by the incoming cabinet.
"It's one of the things that whoever becomes the minister will want to look at very carefully just to make sure things are wide enough."
He indicated that one of the areas under scrutiny might be whether there is enough computer expertise available to the inquiry.
"But once an inquiry is set up and under way, it would be very unusual for it to be changed much," he said.
Only one of three planned stages of Incis were implemented before it was ditched late last month, costing taxpayers $107.5 million.
The project, due for completion two years ago, ended in a legal row between the Government and IBM.
The inquiry, headed by former Court of Appeal judge Sir Ian McKay, was set up this month to review the development, management and administration of the project by police and other Government departments.
Announcing the inquiry, Sir William Birch said Sir Ian and his two fellow commission members would investigate the extent to which police and other departments contributed to the breakdown of the contract.
It would also examine which departments carried out their responsibilities, the quality of their advice, and how well they followed it.
Today the commission will take submissions from parties who wish to be heard during the inquiry.
"Any person who satisfies the commission that he or she has an interest, apart from any interest in common with the public, is entitled to appear and be heard," said Sir Ian.
Police have already said they will seek to be heard.
The Treasury and IBM may also wish to be heard as well as two former senior staff on the project, Tony Crewdson and Greg Batchelor.
Public hearings of the evidence will begin in January.
Meanwhile, police are refusing to publicly release key documents over the project because of the inquiry.
Assistant Commissioner Neville Trendle turned down an Official Information Act request from the Herald, saying the material was of "direct relevance to the inquiry."
He claimed legal professional privilege to justify the refusal.
It is the second time the police have refused to hand over the documents to the Herald.
An Ombudsman's investigation into the first request was halted because of the legal dispute between IBM and the police.
Labour wants say in Incis inquiry
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