PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING INTO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT IMPLICATIONS OF NEW TECHNOLOGY

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PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING INTO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT IMPLICATIONS OF NEW TECHNOLOGY

Chairman of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Crime Authority, Mr Peter Nugent MP, announced today details of a public hearing into the law enforcement implications of new technology.

Mr Nugent said:

The Committee has received a comprehensive submission from the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator the Hon Amanda Vanstone, in relation to its inquiry into the law enforcement implications of new technology. Her submission deals at length with the major issues confronting Australian law enforcement as a result of emerging technology. While our community's efforts to tackle the challenge of crime will be significantly assisted by developments in technology, some of the emerging technologies (such as the Internet) also represent substantial opportunities for the major organised crime groups which are the NCA's prime targets.

The Committee has already heard the NCA's frank evidence about the extent to which its activities are affected by new technology. Next week's public hearing with senior representatives of the Attorney-General's portfolio will provide the Committee with an opportunity to discuss the issues in detail with senior officers of the Attorney-General's Department, AUSTRAC, the Australian Customs Service and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Further hearings are planned to be held early next year, with a view to the finalisation of the inquiry during the 2001 Winter sittings.

The submission from the Minister for Justice and Customs has been published by the Committee. Copies can be obtained from the secretariat or at www.aph.gov.au/nca.

1 December 2000

For further information contact:
Mr Peter Nugent MP, Committee Chairman, (02) 62772088 or (03) 98873890
Mr Michael McLean. Committee Secretary, (02) 62773565

PARLIAMENTARY JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE NATIONAL CRIME AUTHORITY INQUIRY INTO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT IMPLICATIONS OF NEW TECHNOLOGY

PUBLIC HEARING:

MONDAY 4 DECEMBER 2000
IN
COMMITTEE ROOM 1S4
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA

10.00 Commonwealth Attorney-General's portfolio.

12.00 Adjournment