The Honourable Cameron Dick
10/12/2010
Crime does not pay as DPP targets $27m from crooks
Queensland's crackdown on the ill-gotten gains of criminal activities continued in 2009-10, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions helping to target cash and assets worth almost $27 million from criminals.
Attorney-General Cameron Dick praised the performance of the ODPP's confiscations unit when tabling the office's annual report today.
"The Bligh Government is determined to stop criminals from profiting from serious illegal activity and the ODPP plays a vital role in recovering these ill-gotten gains," Mr Dick said.
"Seizing the proceeds of crime not only strips criminals of their cash and assets but also takes away the power that wealth gives them and hinders their capacity to reoffend.
"The community as a whole benefits from this excellent work by the ODPP, which works with the Crime and Misconduct Commission to recover millions of dollars in funds that would otherwise have remained in the hands of criminals."
Mr Dick said the ODPP, acting for the CMC, commenced 69 new confiscation proceedings and obtained 97 new restraining orders during 2009-10, restraining assets valued at $19.5 million.
"Assets worth $5.57 million were also forfeited to the state, up 68 per cent from last year.
"In addition, $1.12 million was collected from criminals through penalty orders and another $571,000 in cash was forfeited.
"As a result of the combined efforts of the ODPP and the CMC, the total amount recovered from criminals in 2009-10 reached $26.76 million.
"Since the confiscation scheme commenced in 2002, assets valued at more than $110 million have been restrained and $22.2 million has been forfeited."
Mr Dick said the confiscation totals were achieved during a busy year for the ODPP, with the prosecution service involved in more than 1000 criminal trials and more than 5000 sentences during 2009-10.
He said more than 43,000 offences relating to 11,246 accused were referred to the ODPP for prosecution.
"Of these, 1951 matters were dealt with in the Magistrates Court and a total of 4525 indictments were presented in the Supreme or District courts," Mr Dick said.
"ODPP prosecutors conducted 1028 trials and prosecutors and legal officers appeared at 5473 sentences and 259 bail applications.
"The office also provided assistance to victims of crime through its 16 victim liaison officers across the state, with more than 39,000 instances of contact with victims during the financial year.
"I commend the Director of Public Prosecutions and his staff for continuing to provide Queenslanders with a professional prosecution service."
