Published Thursday, 11 September, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Spence: New laws leave criminals nowhere to hide
New laws allowing Queensland Police real time access to nation-wide offender information were passed by State Parliament today.
Police Minister Judy Spence said: “The Police Service Administration and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 allows our police to share vital information as part of the CrimTrac National Police Reference System.
“Our community has become very sophisticated and information technology through the internet and other modern mediums has removed once traditional boundaries.
“This legislation will make a huge difference to frontline policing across the country and provide Queensland Police with a valuable operational policing tool.
“At the touch of a button, front line operational police will be able to access up to 26 points of information concerning any person they intercept.
“This information will range from routine things such as whether the person is appropriately licensed to the criminal history and outstanding warrants of criminals.
“For example, where a Victorian offender attempts to expand their drug enterprising to Queensland, this person’s drug activities and any associated information will be accessible by Queensland Police should the person be intercepted in this State.
“In the past, police seeking information about an offender’s history from interstate had to place a request through their own coordination centres and wait for the information to be made available from the other jurisdictions.
“By having immediate access to offender information, police from the different States will be able to work together more efficiently and disrupt criminal enterprises.
“No one wants to see criminals become untouchable because they are able to exploit the laws between jurisdictions.
“This legislation will ensure police in all parts of Australia have the information they need to detect, prevent and solve crime.
“This system sends a strong message to offenders that the law does not stop at the border – and no matter where they go in Australia their police records will follow them.”
Police are expected to transfer information and gain access to the National database by the end of the year.
Appropriate safeguards are included in the legislation to ensure that only information crucial to operational policing is available on the national database. General information on witnesses and victims will not be included.
Media Contact: 3239 62172
Police Minister Judy Spence said: “The Police Service Administration and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 allows our police to share vital information as part of the CrimTrac National Police Reference System.
“Our community has become very sophisticated and information technology through the internet and other modern mediums has removed once traditional boundaries.
“This legislation will make a huge difference to frontline policing across the country and provide Queensland Police with a valuable operational policing tool.
“At the touch of a button, front line operational police will be able to access up to 26 points of information concerning any person they intercept.
“This information will range from routine things such as whether the person is appropriately licensed to the criminal history and outstanding warrants of criminals.
“For example, where a Victorian offender attempts to expand their drug enterprising to Queensland, this person’s drug activities and any associated information will be accessible by Queensland Police should the person be intercepted in this State.
“In the past, police seeking information about an offender’s history from interstate had to place a request through their own coordination centres and wait for the information to be made available from the other jurisdictions.
“By having immediate access to offender information, police from the different States will be able to work together more efficiently and disrupt criminal enterprises.
“No one wants to see criminals become untouchable because they are able to exploit the laws between jurisdictions.
“This legislation will ensure police in all parts of Australia have the information they need to detect, prevent and solve crime.
“This system sends a strong message to offenders that the law does not stop at the border – and no matter where they go in Australia their police records will follow them.”
Police are expected to transfer information and gain access to the National database by the end of the year.
Appropriate safeguards are included in the legislation to ensure that only information crucial to operational policing is available on the national database. General information on witnesses and victims will not be included.
Media Contact: 3239 62172