Organised Crime in Australia: A $36 billion problem

The Organised Crime in Australia report released today confirms that organised crime is costing Australia  $36 billion a year.

That equates to $1,561 out of every individual Australian's pocket and adds 6.3 per cent to the average cost of living.

The report by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has revealed links between serious and organised crime groups and potential terrorists.

These criminals control illicit markets that terrorists may seek to access in order to carry out an attack.

Organised crime diverts large amounts of money from the Australian economy into the pockets of criminals.

The expansion of organised crime in the financial sector also poses a significant risk to the integrity of the Australian economy and markets.

The report shows that in 2016, there were 46,957 reports of cybercrime, with 50 per cent related to scams, 20 per cent to purchases and 7.5 per cent to cyberbullying .

The cost of identity crime alone was estimated at $2.2 billion over 2015-16, with prevention and response activities costing a further $390 million.

The report found the six key enablers of organised crime are money laundering, technology, professional facilitators, identity crime, public sector corruption, and violence and intimidation.

New technology has led to an increase in fraud, online trading of illicit goods and child sexual exploitation.

Importantly, the information detailed in the Organised Crime in Australia report will ensure the Government, industry and the public can tackle the scourge.

By identifying the characteristics of those involved, what drives them, the criminal activities they are involved in, we can better target the criminals who peddle in the misery of organised crime.

The report forecasts ongoing challenges to the security of the Australian border, caused by the manipulation of Australia's visa and migration system.

I urge the community to remain aware, informed, and to take an active role in reporting organised crime.