NSW Police given cross-border powers
Posted Sun Aug 3, 2008 12:46pm AEST
A series of emergency powers can be employed for up to two days before needing approval from the courts. (ABC Online: Nick Parkin)
Map: Sydney 2000
New South Wales Police have been issued with new surveillance powers which will allow warrants to be recognised across state borders.
The changes are based on national laws agreed to by attorneys-general and police ministers and will allow police to obtain only one warrant to use a variety of surveillance technologies.
A series of emergency powers can also be employed for up to two days before needing approval from the courts.
NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos says the powers will aid investigations into terrorist organisations and organised crime groups.
"We do know that crime does not have its boundaries," he said.
"In many instances we've had offenders who have utilised the borders of different jurisdictions to be able to go undetected in terms of their criminal activity.
"These provisions will enable our laws to be recognised so that any search warrant issued in NSW will be able to be utilised in Victoria or ACT."
Tags: law-crime-and-justice, laws, police, nsw, sydney-2000