Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission has today released the unclassified report Organised Crime in Australia 2017, which validates our understanding of the unrelenting and increasingly transnational nature of organised crime in Australia.
Minister for Justice, the Hon. Michael Keenan MP launched the report alongside acting ACIC Chief Executive Officer, Ms Nicole Rose, in Perth.
“Organised crime in Australia 2017 offers the most contemporary picture of serious and organised crime in Australia,” Ms Rose said.
“Serious and organised crime touches the lives of Australians in unprecedented ways—it is destructive, pervasive and sophisticated.
“Over the past few years, the speed with which global trends have been replicated in Australia has increased, with physical geographic boundaries no longer containing criminal networks.
“Transnational serious organised crime groups have had a significant impact on crime markets in Australia in the past two years, with technology and digital infrastructure presenting as key enablers across multiple crime types.
“As the reach of organised criminals expands to exploit markets offshore, law enforcement has also become more connected through the development of information sharing platforms and enhanced partnerships.”
Organised crime in Australia 2017 provides Australian businesses and communities with a picture of criminality in Australia, including the real extent and impact of organised crime, and the efforts of law enforcement to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups.
While drugs are likely to remain the primary source of illicit wealth for many organised crime groups, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission has identified six key enablers for serious and organised crime: money laundering, technology, professional facilitators, public sector corruption, violence and intimidation.
To combat these issues, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission is working in partnership with industry, law enforcement and the community, to:
- Disrupt and deter Australia’s highest risk criminal groups and individuals through the collection of evidence and intelligence on criminal activity.
- Gather intelligence on a range of drug markets in Australia, including implementing the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, and contributing to the National Ice Action Strategy.
- Disrupt, dismantle or neutralise Outlaw Motor Cycle Gangs nationally.
- Identify, investigate and disrupt serious organised crime groups’ involvement in visa and migration fraud.
- Target criminal wealth to identify and disrupt criminal money flows by collecting evidence and intelligence.
- Prioritise our understanding of cybercrime threats to Australia and initiate response strategies.
“The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission is committed to making Australia safer through improved national ability to discover, understand and respond to current and emerging crime threats and criminal justice issues—connecting with our partners to action our intelligence” Ms Rose said.
Organised crime in Australia 2017, along with an animation on the transnational nature of organised crime, is available on the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission website.