A criminological analysis of proceeds of crime legislation in three Australian states

Abstract

In recent decades, Australian states and territories have introduced a raft of legislation aimed at stripping those involved in criminal activity of their ill-gotten gains. This contribution reports on a study into proceeds of crime legislation in three Australian jurisdictions: New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland. Based on a document analysis and 40 interviews, we focus on the broader criminological aspects of how and why proceeds of crime legislation was introduced and how the legislation is experienced by those who work with it / are impacted by it. We then discuss the political attractiveness of such legislation in a broader law and order framework, despite its apparent limited success in achieving its stated goals.

Keywords

Confiscation legislation law and order proceeds of crime

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