Serious criminal networks to face phone tap scrutiny

Queensland police will have the power to use phone taps to infiltrate serious criminal gangs and criminal activity under new laws introduced in State Parliament today.

But Premier Anna Bligh said the Telecommunications Interception Bill also provided unique safeguards designed to test the validity of applications from law enforcement officers .

Ms Bligh said the Bill introduced in the Parliament today represents a significant addition to the crime fighting capabilities of Queensland’s law enforcement agencies.

“It delivers on the government’s commitment to ensure our law enforcement agencies have the powers they need to fight crime but at the same time it provides a high standard of checks and balances,” Ms Bligh said.

“It will enable the Queensland Police Service and the Crime and Misconduct Commission to apply for telecommunications interception warrants for the investigation of serious offences.

“That’s a highly effective tool for detecting and prosecuting serious criminal activity - particularly drug trafficking, organised crime, predatory paedophilia networks and corruption and premeditated violent crimes.

“The evidence such investigations can produce can be compelling and this method of policing can reduce threats to safety officers can face if they are otherwise involved in surveillance or undercover work.”

But Ms Bligh said given that phone tapping was intrusive on an individual’s privacy, the law gave Queensland some of the toughest safeguards in the country.

“Given this intrusiveness, the Bill provides the further safeguard - which is unique to Queensland - of the involvement of the Public Interest Monitor (PIM) to test the validity of applications.

“Queensland will be the only state to have the safeguard of a PIM to ensure that applications for phone tapping powers take into account the broader public interest.

“In August last year, the Commonwealth agreed to amend its Act to allow Queensland law enforcement agencies to apply for interception warrants in a manner providing for the comprehensive involvement of the PIM in the process.

“Queensland and Federal officials have worked together to ensure the State and supporting Commonwealth Bills align constitutionally and are otherwise mutually acceptable.”

The Federal Telecommunications Interception Legislation Amendment Bill - giving effect to the Prime Minister’s agreement to full PIM involvement – is due to for Senate consideration which will lead to the Queensland Bill taking full effect.

10 February 2009

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