PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE TO INQUIRE INTO NEW 
        TECHNOLOGY AND LAW ENFORCEMENTChair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the 
        National Crime Authority, Mr Peter Nugent MP, announced today that the 
        Committee had resolved to undertake an inquiry into the law enforcement 
        implications of new technology. Mr Nugent stated: 
        
          The Committee is aware of mounting concern about 
            the capacity of law enforcement to prevent criminals from using new 
            technologies to their advantage. Agencies like the NCA have warned 
            that technology opens up a whole range of new opportunities for criminals. 
            That same technology may, however, hold the key to improved policing. 
            The Committee therefore proposes to conduct a comprehensive inquiry 
            into the implications of new technologies for law enforcement. In 
            particular, the Committee wants to determine whether the legislative 
            regime underpinning agencies like the NCA supports their efforts to 
            both combat technology-related crime and to maximise the use of technology 
            in pursuing offenders. The terms of reference for the inquiry are: 
        
          whether use of new technology by law enforcement agencies is adequately 
            catered for by Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation;the extent to which electronic commerce facilitates the laundering 
            of the proceeds of crime; andwhether international law enforcement cooperation is adequate to 
            meet the challenges of new technology. The Committee invites interested persons or organisations 
        wishing to express their views to lodge submissions with the Committee 
        by Friday, 11 August 2000. For further information: Mr Peter Nugent MP, Committee Chair, 03 98873890 Mr Michael McLean, Committee Secretary, 02 62773565 29 June 2000   Top
 |