Australia strengthens Anti-People smuggling laws
The Australian Government welcomed the passage of legislation to
significantly strengthen Australia’s people smuggling laws.
The Anti-People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill 2010 supports the
Government’s multi pronged approach to combating people smuggling by
enabling the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to
specifically investigate people smuggling and other serious border
security threats.
In addition, the Bill includes additional offences targeting those
who finance or provide support for people smuggling activities as well
as strong penalties that recognise the seriousness of people smuggling
offences, including -
<* A new offence of providing material support for people smuggling
with a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and/or a fine of
$110,000;
* A new offence of people smuggling involving exploitation or danger
of death or serious harm, applying to ventures entering Australia, with
a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment and/or a fine of
$220,000;
* Ensuring that where a person is convicted of multiple people
smuggling offences, mandatory minimum penalties set out in the Migration
Act are applied; and
* Providing greater clarity and consistency by harmonising people
smuggling offences in the Migration Act and the Criminal Code.
The Bill also enables Australia’s national security agencies to
collect foreign intelligence about people smugglers and their networks.
The Government is committed to targeting criminal groups who organise,
participate in and benefit from people smuggling activities.
This legislation represents an important part of the Government’s
comprehensive approach to combating people smuggling. |