Robert Needham
Chairperson, Crime and Misconduct Commission

Mr Robert Needham was appointed Chairperson of the Crime and Misconduct Commission in January 2005.

Prior to his appointment, he practised as a barrister for 35 years. His legal career spanned periods both as a Crown Prosecutor and as a barrister in private practice. From late 1987 he was Counsel Assisting the Fitzgerald Commission of Inquiry, the forerunner of the Criminal Justice Commission. After working on the Fitzgerald Inquiry, he became involved in the political corruption investigations arising out of the Inquiry, and formed the team in the Special Prosecutor’s Office to finalise briefs and prosecute the political corruption trials.

Subsequently, he was involved in various Corporation Law prosecutions for ASIC and the Commonwealth DPP including the Christopher Skase prosecution. He was also involved in complex and lengthy cases in the Land Court and the Planning and Environment Court. In 2002, he was appointed Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Commissioner and held that position for a period of three years.