NCJ Number
186587
Date Published
January 2001
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews legislation that has been enacted to enhance fraud control in Australia.
Abstract
Fraud legislation has often been occasioned by some scandal of public corruption. New South Wales reacted to scandal with the creation of a well-resourced and powerful Independent Commission Against Corruption. Queensland reacted to scandal with the creation of the Criminal Justice Commission, and Western Australia reacted with the creation of its Commission on Government. South Australia has continued to rely on a mix of local powers and agencies, as well as national powers and agencies. Also, in 1992-93 the South Australian Government pursued a vigorous legislative and administrative program to counter the incidence of fraud and corruption. Many Australian jurisdictions do not have "whistleblowers" protection legislation, which is essential to the prevention of fraud and corruption. This paper discusses some of the issues that must be addressed in legislation designed to promote and effectively handle "whistleblowing" actions by employees. This paper also reviews some of the work of the Model Criminal Code Officers Committee as it pertains to fraud and the associated issue of criminal jurisdiction.