Will Partlett speaks with John McKechnie, former Western Australian Director of Public Prosecutions, Supreme Court judge and Corruption and Crime Commissioner, about the limits of “integrity” as an institutional slogan. McKechnie reflects on WA Inc, the creation of independent prosecution and anti-corruption bodies, and why corruption commissions must do more than promote good culture. They must investigate misconduct, expose failures and help ensure public power is exercised for public purposes.

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

01:06 Why Law School

02:24 Early Practice and Crown Move

04:12 Creating the DPP

06:09 WA Inc Taskforce Years

07:42 Epiphany to the Bench

09:37 Judge vs Prosecutor Mindset

11:18 Taking the CCC Job

13:19 CCC Powers and Jurisdiction

14:46 Prosecutions and Proof Limits

19:07 What Integrity Really Means

28:06 Velvet Glove Iron Fist

30:36 Wrap Up and Thanks