Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today introduced legislation into the Parliament which will implement reforms to Commonwealth laws as part of a comprehensive national response to combat serious and organised crime. “The increasingly sophisticated and aggressive nature of organised crime requires a tough response.  It is important that we have strong, tailored and effective laws in place to combat serious organised crime,” Mr McClelland said.

The reforms focus on confiscating the proceeds of crime while strengthening national law enforcement coordination and capability. The strategy is two pronged, to remove the profitability of criminal activity, and increase the likelihood of criminals being caught.

Specifically, the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Serious and Organised Crime) Bill 2009 implements measures agreed to by State and Territory Attorneys-General and will:

 ·        strengthen criminal asset confiscation regimes;
·        introduce unexplained wealth provisions that require individuals to demonstrate their wealth was legally acquired;
·        enhance 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;
·        extend criminal liability to all individuals who jointly commit an offence; and
·        broaden the list of criminal offences for which appropriate telecommunications interception powers will be available.

 “These measures will target the perpetrators and profits of organised crime and will provide our law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to combat the increasingly sophisticated methods used by organised crime syndicates.”

 This Bill delivers on the commitment made in the Prime Minister’s National Security Statement last year to address organised crime as a priority concern.