The Crimes Amendment Bill passed by Parliament earlier today has introduced the most significant changes to property related crimes since the Crimes Act was enacted in 1961 said Police National Crime Manager Detective Superintendent Rob Pope.
"The changes are intended to bring property-related offences into the modern era in recognition of the use of advanced computer technology for criminal purposes," said Mr Pope.
Important changes have also been made to Police interception powers, expanding the coverage and nature of warrants in the fight to combat organised crime.
The changes include:
• Theft related crimes have been rewritten including extending theft to intangible property.
• The offence of blackmail has been broadened to include threats of property contamination and industrial blackmail.
• A new offence of "trade secrets" has been enacted.
• Thresholds for money laundering and receiving have been lowered to include "recklessness".
• A series of new computer related crimes have been created to cover such events as "hacking".
• For burglary offences the term "breaking and entering" has been replaced with "entering without authority", removing argument as to what constitutes a "break".
• Fraud offences have been replaced with "obtaining by deception".
The Bill takes account of privacy issues by making it illegal for unauthorised people to intercept e-mails and faxes not intended for them.
"Increasingly Police are receiving complaints involving the use of computers to commit property related crimes, many of which are not addressed by the current law.
"These amendments will better equip Police to respond more effectively to property related complaints.
"The new law comes into force on 1 October 2003. Between now and the implementation date, Police will be training staff to ensure the frontline is familiar with the new changes," said Mr Pope.