POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NEW SOUTH WALES
PO Box A1097, Sydney South, NSW 1232
PHONE: (02) 9265 6777
FAX: (02) 9265 6789
EAGLENET 57071
5 February 2010
NSW must follow national lead and crack down on Mr Bigs: Police
NSW must follow the lead of the Federal Government and crack down on the
unexplained millions being hoarded by underworld crime bosses, the Police
Association of NSW said today.
The Federal Government today announced it would introduce Unexplained Wealth
legislation at the national level.
Police Association of NSW President Bob Pritchard said closing the legal loophole
on unexplained wealth would save the State Government over $50 million a year -
money that could be channelled back into community safety.
“If we are to get serious about catching the Mr Bigs of the underworld then the
State Government should step up and follow the Federal Government’s lead,” Mr
Pritchard said.
“The current lax laws we have in NSW are allowing some of our biggest crime
bosses to slip through the cracks.
“The introduction of Unexplained Wealth legislation would help combat organised
crime in this state by hitting our criminals where it hurts – their back pockets.”
“The benefits in terms of combating crime in the state would be threefold. Firstly, it
would deter people from taking part in crime in the first place by reducing the
possibility of gaining or keeping the profits; secondly, it would prevent crime by
making it harder for people to finance criminal activity; and thirdly, it would remedy
the unjust enrichment of criminals who profit at society’s expense.”
“If people have genuinely worked hard for their money, it will be easy for them to
prove it. If they haven’t, the introduction of Unexplained Wealth legislation will
mean the authorities will have the power to seize any assets obtained with ill-gotten
funds.
Media contact: Alana Mew, 0423 377 567
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