State Services Commission Inquiry into the use of external security consultants

In March 2018 the State Services Commissioner appointed Doug Martin to conduct an inquiry into the use of external security consultants by Southern Response Earthquake Services Limited and MBIE.

The terms of reference(external link) were later widened and Simon Mount QC was appointed to assist Mr Martin with the inquiry. The inquiry considered (amongst other things) the circumstances of, and reasons for, any engagement by Crown Agencies of external security consultants, including but not limited to Thompson and Clark Investigations Limited.

The information provided to the inquiry by MBIE is published on this page. Some information has been redacted consistent with the Official Information Act 1982, and where this has occurred the relevant grounds are indicated on each document. MBIE also provided copies of relevant corporate documents.

MBIE welcomes the inquiry’s report, accepts the findings and will be implementing all recommendations.

Read the inquiry's full report(external link)

As part of MBIE’s response to the inquiry, the ministry undertook to review the way in which it plans and operationalise its responsibilities in relation to the non-interference provisions in the Crown Minerals Act. Simon Murdoch carried out the review and made 13 recommendations which were accepted by MBIE.

Read Simon Murdoch's report:

External review into how the non-interference provisions of the Crown Minerals Act are effected [PDF, 1 MB]

One of the recommendations was that the National Plan that outlines how MBIE and the partner agencies manage interference with permitted offshore petroleum and minerals activities under the Crown Minerals Act be refreshed.

NICMA National Plan — updated March 2022 [PDF, 656 KB]

Correspondence between MBIE and State Services Commission about the inquiry

Documents released to SCC inquiry