Government responds to scrap metal theft inquiry

• The Miles Government to combat scrap metal theft after it tabled its response to a parliamentary inquiry into the issue.
  
• The parliamentary inquiry examined the prevalence and impacts of metal theft in Queensland and put forward recommendations to deter and disrupt the sale of stolen metals.

Scrap metal thieves and dodgy dealers have been put on notice with the Miles Government handing down its response to the parliamentary inquiry into the potentially deadly practice.

The Scrap Metal Theft Inquiry made several recommendations with the Miles Government supporting or supporting in-principal six of them. 

This will give the government and police the ammunition they need to target, deter and disrupt the theft and sale of scrap metal.

Work will now begin on implementing these recommendations which includes measures like investigating legislative reforms, improving industry and community education, and ongoing compliance and enforcement.

Ongoing investigation into claims of unlicensed operators in the scrap metal and car wrecking industries will continue. 

Since December, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has conducted 55 inspections as part of two compliance operations targeting unlicensed scrap metal dealers. 

The scrap metal and car wrecking industries will continue to be targeted in 2024-25 under the OFT’s Proactive Regulation of Industry and Marketplace Entities priorities.

The Miles Government established the parliamentary inquiry into scrap metal theft in August in response to growing community concerns about the frequency of metal thefts. 

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath:

 “Scrap metal theft affects the whole community with utility providers, businesses, residents, and community organisations experiencing unnecessary costs and disruption thanks to criminals who are looking to make a fast buck.

“There are also significant safety risks that can arise if people are exposed to live electricity due to damage caused to cables and equipment by metal thieves. 

“That is why the Miles Government established this parliamentary inquiry—to identify options that can help us stamp out this criminal behaviour.

“Work will now begin on new strategies to help curb the ability of criminals to dispose of, and profit from, the sale of stolen metal through the scrap metal industry.

“In the meantime, I strongly encourage anyone with information about criminals stealing copper or other metals to contact Queensland Police.” 

ENDS