ACT POLICE TO BENEFIT FROM NEW SURVEILLANCE POWERS

ACT Police will have the ability to fight organised crime with a range of new and modern surveillance devices under the ACT Government's Crimes (Surveillance Devices) Bill, that was introduced into the Legislative Assembly today, by Attorney General, Simon Corbell.

"The Bill will allow police to use data surveillance devices, listening devices, optical surveillance devices, and tracking devices which will all significantly increase the ability of police to fight organised criminal groups that work covertly," Mr Corbell said.

"The Government has also today introduced a series of new police powers to fight organised crime in the Serious and Organised Crimes Bill creating the offences of affray, participating in a criminal group, and recruiting persons to participate in criminal activity.

"This new raft of police powers shows the ACT Government is serious about fighting organised crime in an appropriate and proportionate way."

Police will be able to apply for a warrant for a surveillance device so that they can gain evidence and intelligence about criminal behaviour, however, applications must satisfy a strict set of criteria.

"The Government has had due consideration for human rights concerns, most particularly the right to privacy," Mr Corbell said.

"The Bill includes a number of important safeguards and accountability measures to ensure the use of surveillance devices is restrained and not abused."

This Bill is the third piece of legislation that the Government has introduced into the Legislative Assembly to give effect to the Cross Border Investigative Powers for Law Enforcement model legislation. The proposed legislation will work in synergy with the Government's controlled operations law that the Assembly passed in 2008, and the Government's assumed identities law that was passed by the Assembly last year.

"ACT Policing will also be able to work with other jurisdictions with similar legislation, targeting organised crime that moves between States and Territories," Mr Corbell said.

Media Contact:

Patrick Cronan
6205 0401
0432 758 224
patrick.cronan@act.gov.au