Dear Readers (22-02-2024)

The photo above shows cats huddled together to keep warm in winter. Temperatures can fall below zero in Cowra.

Below the email sent to ICAC and their response. Not really surprising I suppose, could I imagine a NSW Government Agency finding another NSW Government Agency guilty of corruption? I think not.

After I received their response I did email the ABC News Team and also Current Affairs, but no interest shown. I shall start emails some journalists/newspapers and see if I can get any interest from them. The last option will be to report the matter to the Ombudsman

Independent Commission Against Corruption

New South Wales

31 January 2024

Dear XXX XXX(icac@icac.nsw.gov.au)

I write regarding your email of the 2 November 2023. In that email you state you will not investigate my concerns concerning alleged failures by Dept of Primary Industries (DPI), RSPCA NSW and other government agencies to investigate animal neglect and cruelty because the information before the Commission is limited in supporting a likelihood of corrupt conduct in the manner you describe.

My concerns are specifically against the DPI which seems to be the government agency that authorises the RSPCA NSW to receive approx $8 million a year of taxpayer funds. Please remember that the RSPCA NSW is a Private Company and if the NSW Government gives them $8 million a year for not performing the duties that they are employed for, then I think the onus is on the NSW Government to explain why they do this.

You have confirmed that I sent you emails on the 11,13,15 and 17 August 2023 . However you have not confirmed that you emailed me during that period to state that you had received sufficient information from me and I did not need to send you any more. I do have a mass of information and if you will tell me what information you are looking for I am sure I can find enough to convince yourselves that corruption did and undoubtedly still exists.

You have also stated `whilst you may disagree with the decision making of the DPI and other NSW Government agencies, it is not the role of the Commission to review the decisions taken or processes followed by NSW public officials/agencies where corrupt conduct is not otherwise evident’.

I am sure that you will be well aware that corrupt conduct is NEVER evident, and that is the insidious nature of the beast!

Your title Independent Commission Against Corruption does suggest that you are Independent, even when there is a need to investigate a fellow NSW agency.

I ask that you reconsider your decision and please ask me for any information you may need. I have collected masses of information over the 8 years I have tried to get this matter looked into. Do not forget all NSW Government agencies are funded by the tax payer, and some investigative work could save the taxpayer upwards of $8 million dollars a year.

I look forward to your response.

Yours Truly

Keith Climpson

Reply from ICAC

 OFFICIAL: Sensitive - NSW Government

Dear Mr Climpson

Referring to your below email dated 31 January 2024, I confirm that all information you provided was carefully considered by the Commission during the assessment of your matter.

Please be advised that there is no avenue for reviewing decisions as it is the most senior officials within the Commission, namely the Commissioners that are the decision makers.  

Should you wish to provide further information in support of your allegation of corrupt conduct you are welcome to do so. We will review any additional information provided to us, however unless the information is substantially new, or raises further allegations not already considered, it’s unlikely our decision will change.

I trust this satisfies your query concerning the Commission’s processes and decision not to investigate your matter.

Yours sincerely

XXXXXX XXX| Senior Assessment Officer
NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption
Level 7, 255 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000 | GPO Box 500 Sydney NSW 2001
ph: 8281 5999 | fax: 9264 5364 | www.icac.nsw.gov.au