The CCC has today proposed the need for significant reform of Queensland’s Criminal Proceeds Confiscation Act 2002 (CPCA).
The CPCA Act seeks to remove the financial gain and increase the financial loss associated with serious and organised crime.
The CCC reviewed the CPCA to examine whether Queensland’s asset confiscation regime was still effective in the face of the contemporary organised crime environment.
The review looked at the schemes available under the asset confiscation regime pertaining to countering the problem of crime-derived and used assets, money laundering, and preventing individuals from accumulating criminal wealth.
The CCC’s review found that significant change to the legislation was needed to ensure that the Act can have the disruptive impact on serious and organised crime intended.
The CCC identified seven priority areas for reform and has made 10 recommendations to modernise Queensland’s asset confiscation regime, including:
- updating the state’s money laundering offence
- enabling law enforcement to deal more effectively with digital assets
- introducing an asset-focused confiscation mechanism.
Meeting the challenge of serious and organised crime requires innovation, cross-agency collaboration, and significant investment. It also requires legislation that is fit-for-purpose and flexible enough to respond to the changing nature of the crimes it deals with.
For more information, read the report ‘Modernising Queensland’s asset confiscation regime – Review of the Criminal Proceeds Confiscation Act 2002’ here.
The CCC is an independent agency combating major crime and reducing corruption for the benefit of the Queensland community.
ENDS
