Crime Commission urged to make changes

A joint parliamentary committee has called for significant changes to the Australian Crime Commission (ACC).

The commission investigates serious and organised crime and has coercive powers to source information which cannot be accessed through traditional policing methods.

The committee has recommended the ACC immediately introduce a reporting system for its examiners, where they can record their reasons for deciding to summons a person for questioning.

It also wants the Commission Act to be independently reviewed every five years and the Commonwealth Ombudsman to inspect examiners' records and provide an annual report to the Parliament.

The committee's chairman, Steve Hutchins, says the measures would make sure people are held accountable for their actions.

"We think that this does restore balance and even as of late the Ombudsman has found that the examiners still are taking a bit of time in recording their reasons for the issuing of these summonses," he said.