CCC overseer says report misinterpreted

The Parliamentary Inspector of Western Australia's anti-corruption body says he didn't mean to imply that it had deliberately tried to hinder investigations into its own officers.

Retired Supreme Court of WA judge Michael Murray oversees the state's Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) and tabled his annual report in parliament last week.

He revealed details of police investigations into six CCC officers accused of serious misconduct.

Mr Murray said in the report that the CCC disagreed with his office's decision to refer some allegations to the police, and tensions arose when the commission suggested secrecy provisions prevented it releasing documents to aid the investigations.

When police asked the CCC to interview officers, it also initially cited secrecy provisions.

While the CCC's position changed in time, Mr Murray said in the report, the investigation was "undoubtedly delayed".

Premier Colin Barnett responded to the report by saying it was a "major embarrassment" for the CCC.

On Wednesday, Mr Murray told a public hearing that he didn't intend to imply the CCC had deliberately tried to hinder the investigations.

He said the CCC hadn't "dodged" the issue, which had been substantially resolved, allowing investigations to continue, with the CCC providing co-operation and assistance.

"This whole episode, apart from the delay, is a testament to how well the system works," he said.

Mr Murray said there had been governance issues at the CCC, but he was aware the commission was "dealing with them comprehensively".

He also said CCC officers were working in difficult circumstances because they had no Commissioner.

Roger Macknay QC resigned as commissioner on April 14, less than two-and-a-half years after taking the position.

Mr Barnett has previously said the role was hard to fill, requiring "basically a Supreme Court judge".