Statutes Amendment (National Policing Information Systems and Services) Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 31 May 2017.)

The Hon. A.L. McLACHLAN (15:55): I rise to speak to the Statutes Amendment (National Policing Information Systems and Services) Bill. I am the lead speaker on behalf of my Liberal colleagues and I indicate that the opposition is supporting the second reading of the bill. The bill is technical in nature and follows from the recent merging of the commonwealth's CrimTrac system and the Australian Crime Commission. As a result of that merger, we now have a new body, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, commonly referred to as the ACIC. The role and functions of the ACIC are underpinned by supporting legislation in each state and territory.

On 1 July 2016, the relevant commonwealth legislation was amended in order to implement the carrying over of CrimTrac's functions to the ACIC. This included the provision of systems and services relating to national policing information and nationally coordinated criminal history checks. In doing so, Australia's national criminal intelligence and information capabilities were brought under one body, allowing police, justice agencies and policymakers at all levels of government to adopt a more effective, efficient and evidence-based response to crime.

As a result of the merger, a new intergovernmental agreement between the commonwealth, states and territories exists to reflect the new regime, of which South Australia is a signatory. The government highlighted, when introducing this bill, its continued desire to facilitate the exchange of policing information between jurisdictions, particularly in situations such as terrorism, serious and organised crime and child protection. The bill makes technical and consequential amendments to various South Australian acts in order to enable the continued sharing of such information under the new scheme. I commend the bill to the chamber.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:57): I rise in support of this bill and indicate that the Australian Conservatives are supportive of the second reading. This bill facilitates the exchange of policing information between jurisdictions following the merger of CrimTrac and the Australian Crime Commission, now known as the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). I understand that information relating to serious and organised crime, domestic violence, child protection and terrorism will be exchanged via the system.

ACIC will play an important role in national policing initiatives. ACIC is the system administrator for the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network, also known as ACORN, another one of many acronyms. It provides biometric matching, including DNA and fingerprint-matching services, maintains information relevant to firearms and missing persons, as well as managing the National Police Check system. It is not uncommon for criminals and criminal enterprises, such as outlaw motorcycle gangs, to operate within the boundaries of multiple jurisdictions and to move between borders to avoid detection and arrest. Cross-border crimes, including illicit drug manufacture, importation and distribution, are often done across jurisdictions.

To respond to this, is it is imperative that an effective and accessible national policing information system is in place to equip police with relevant information to assist them in their investigations, which, of course, is the subject of this bill and to which it will enable. It is no surprise to any member of this chamber, I am sure, that Australian Conservatives is a strong supporter of these initiatives and certainly supports the second reading and likely supports the third reading.

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:59): I thank all members for their contribution on this important legislation and look forward to further in-depth discussion of the bill during the committee stage.

Bill read a second time.