Bar Association opposes organised crime bills

21/02/2012

The Bar Association has written to Attorney General Greg Smith SC,� strongly opposing the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Bill 2012 and the Crimes Amendment (Consorting and Organised Crime) Bill 2012, which are currently before the Legislative Council.

The association reiterated its concerns with respect to the proposed legislation, noting that "The purported function of the Criminal Organisations Bill is already substantially served by the existing provisions of the Crimes Act 1900 relating to participation in criminal groups."

Coinciding with the introduction of the two bills, the Parliamentary Library Research Service has issued e-brief 6/2012 regarding the constitutional issues surrounding the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Bill 2012.

**21 February 2012 **