A NATIONAL RESPONSE TO ORGANISED CRIME
August 2009
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed a range of new measures to support a comprehensive national response to combat organised crime.
The Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) has agreed to:
- enhanced law enforcement powers and offences for combating and prosecuting organised crime;
- nationally coordinated arrangements to identify, prioritise and respond to organised crime threats, including considering the development of a national ‘Organised Crime Threat Assessment’;
- nationally consistent criminal asset confiscation regimes;
- strengthen criminal intelligence capabilities and law enforcement information sharing;
- greater engagement and coordination with business to combat organised crime.
“These additional measures will ensure a coordinated national effort to better prevent, investigate and prosecute organised crime activities,” Mr McClelland said.
The Organised Crime Threat Assessment would provide relevant agencies with an overview of the nature and characteristics of the organised crime environment and the key risks and threats posed by organised criminal activities across Australia.
The new measures will improve the capacity of agencies to effectively prevent, disrupt, investigate and prosecute organised crime activities as well as strengthen information sharing and interoperability.
In April, SCAG agreed to a national response to combat serious and organised crime.
Subsequently, the Rudd Government introduced a significant legislative package to facilitate this national response and strengthen national law enforcement capabilities by:
- strengthening criminal asset confiscation regimes;
- introducing unexplained wealth provisions that require individuals to demonstrate their wealth was legally acquired;
- enhancing police powers to investigate organised crime by implementing laws for controlled operations that allow law enforcement agencies to infiltrate criminal organisations and provide protection for undercover officers;
- extending criminal liability to all individuals who jointly commit an offence; and
- broadening the list of criminal offences for which appropriate telecommunications interception powers will be available.
“A nationally coordinated and consistent response is essential to ensure there can be no safe havens for organised crime groups.”
Organised crime operates on a national scale and is estimated to cost the Australian community more than $15 billion each year.
These measures demonstrate the Rudd Government’s commitment to leading a comprehensive and effective national response to organised crime.
Media Contact: Adam Siddique 0407 473 630
