The Minns state Labor government has announced a suite of new laws that the premier says will “hit these criminal networks at every point”.
The proposed laws come after a wave of gang-related violence across the state, with much of it via organised online platforms and encrypted devices.
“Organised crime doesn't stand still, and neither can the laws and powers we give police to fight it,” Minns said in a September 7 statement.
“If you conspire to arrange a gangland murder, you should face the prospect of spending the rest of your life behind bars.”
The new laws include a life sentence for gang-related murder and tougher consequences for young people committing serious offences. Other new offences will target those who run digital platforms used to facilitate organised criminal activity, and those who promote such platforms.
“New offences will target people who administer or encourage the use of digital platforms to arrange or facilitate serious organised criminal activity. The reforms will be modelled on existing offences under the Crimes Act 1900 dealing with digital platforms used for child abuse material,” the government said.
“The laws will also make it a crime to encourage someone else to use a digital platform to arrange or facilitate these offences or to provide information to evade detection for these new offences.”
In addition, the government will invest $15 million to give NSW Police expanded technological capabilities to access and analyse encrypted devices.
“Criminal networks increasingly rely on encrypted devices and digital communications to organise their operations and attempt to evade law enforcement,” the government said.
“The investment will see technology rolled out more broadly across NSW, putting these capabilities into more police stations and giving investigators faster access to critical digital evidence.”
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the reforms will “provide police with stronger powers to disrupt criminal networks and will act as a significant deterrent for those who want to engage in reckless violence”.
“The significant investment in digital forensic capabilities will give police the ability to crack encrypted devices and uncover evidence organised criminals rely on to hide their activities,” Commissioner Lanyon said.
“Alongside an increased police presence on the ground and in the air, these changes and investment mean we have the capability and resources to dismantle organised criminal networks and continue to protect the community.”
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