AFPA Supports New Organised Crime Laws in the ACT
Friday 26th February, 2010
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) welcomes the introduction of new serious and organised crime legislation into the ACT Legislative Assembly today. These vital reforms have been implemented as a direct result of advice provided by the AFPA to key stakeholders including the Police Minister and Attorney-General, Simon Corbell MLA, the Shadow Minister for Police, Jeremy Hanson MLA, and the ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety.
Over the course of a number of meetings held last year, AFPA National President Jon Hunt-Sharman, and AFPA Vice-President for Community Policing, Dennis Gellatly, identified a number of deficiencies in current ACT legislation with respect to organised crime. The AFPA’s concerns were validated by an ACT Government Report tabled in the Legislative Assembly later in the year that supported legislative reform in the area of serious and organised crime. The Bill that has been introduced into the Assembly today signals the successful culmination of a process that was initiated by the AFPA nearly 12 months ago.
The Crimes (Serious Organised Crime) Amendment Bill 2010, which is expected to be passed this week with bipartisan support, introduces a number of new offences that will better equip Police in the ACT to confront the challenges posed by criminal syndicates. These offences include affray, participation in a criminal group and recruiting persons to participate in criminal activity. The Bill also extends the notion of criminal responsibility by introducing the concept of joint criminal enterprise into the ACT.
AFPA National President Jon Hunt-Sharman stated:
“These latest reforms will significantly strengthen the ACT’s ability to deal with organised crime groups whilst concurrently bringing the Territory’s laws into line with those established in other jurisdictions”.
The decision to accompany the Serious and Organised Crimes Bill with the Crimes (Surveillance Devices) Bill is another positive bipartisan move that will allow the ACT to stay at the forefront of crime-fighting efforts around the country.
Jon Hunt-Sharman stated:
“The AFPA welcomes specific ACT legislation targeted at serious and organised crime and is proud to have once again significantly contributed to important law enforcement reform.”
Although the new legislation incorporates many of the reforms recommended by the AFPA in its meetings with decision-makers, the AFPA believes that there is still a gap in the ACT’s criminal law due the absence of ‘Unexplained Wealth’ Provisions. The AFPA believes that incorporating these provisions into the Territory’s Confiscation of Criminal Assets Act 2003 will signal another major step forward in the fight against crime.
“Whilst I congratulate the ACT Government and the Legislative Assembly on their decision to toughen the ACT’s criminal laws, the Courts need the power to seize ‘unexplained wealth’ found in the possession or effective control of individuals who are unable to satisfy the Court that they have obtained it from lawful activities. Attacking the finances of organised crime groups is the most effective way to safeguard our community from this high level criminal activity.” Mr Hunt Sharman said.