26 September 2023

Offenders to be hit in hip pocket

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New legislation to deprive offenders of the proceeds of their crimes has been tabled in the Legislative Assembly.

Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said the legislation would require a person to satisfy the Court that their wealth was not the result of criminal activities.

“These reforms will target those who gain material benefits from drug trafficking or other serious organised criminal activity as well as those masterminding or directing criminal activity at arms-length,” Mr Ramsay said.

“Criminals are put on notice that we will be looking closely at how they acquire assets, including their homes, vehicles and large amounts of cash,” he said.

“This Government will continue to create road-blocks for criminals preventing them from expanding their wealth through illegal activities.”

Mr Ramsay also tabled an independent report of the independent review of the effectiveness of ACT Policing crime scene powers and powers to target, disrupt, investigate and prosecute criminal gang members which reviewed the operation of police crime scene powers and the effectiveness of existing police mechanisms in relation to organised crime.

“I’m pleased the report broadly found that the ACT Government has implemented effective and proportionate responses to serious and organised criminal activity and that ACT law enforcement agencies have several tools to effectively combat serious and organised crime,” he said.

The review’s 144-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.

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