November 28, 2012

Drug traffickers will be forced to forfeit all their property to the State Government under tough new laws to be introduced in Parliament today.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said the assets of a drug trafficker – whether obtained legally or illegally – could be confiscated under a serious drug offender confiscation order.

This would include gifts given by the offender to others in the six years predating the offence.

“These amendments will mean Queensland can be compensated for the burden the drug trade places on the community, health and justice systems,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Queensland Health estimates illicit drug use cost the state $1.6 billion in 2004/05 and approximately $39 million of that was in health care.

“Queenslanders should not be made to foot the bill for the damage these people cause.

“However, there will be discretion for the offenders’ dependants to apply for financial support on the grounds of hardship as they should not suffer for the bad decisions of their parents.”

Mr Bleijie said people were lured to the illicit drug trade by the promise of vast sums of money that can be made easily and without doing an honest days’ work.

“Criminals live lives often outside the reach of ordinary Queenslanders who earn their incomes and pay their taxes in accordance with the law,” Mr Bleijie said.

“These people use drug money to fund lavish lifestyles, but the high and tragic cost is often paid by the community.

“Taking away a criminal’s money and property through these new laws will be a more significant and harder punishment than a stint behind bars.

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New “unexplained wealth” laws will also be introduced in Parliament today.

Mr Bleijie said the new law was aimed at hitting the ‘Mr Bigs’ of the crime world who may not be directly involved but still benefit from criminal activity.

“Our unexplained wealth laws (will) cast the net wider to capture crime bosses who are pulling the strings but have escaped charges as there isn’t enough evidence to link them to the crime,” he said.

“If the State can prove on the balance of probabilities there is reasonable suspicion a person has been involved in a crime then the onus will be on the individual to prove the legitimacy of their assets.

“These laws will send a clear message to criminals that Queensland will not be a safe haven for them to hide their proceeds of crime.”