Pubdate: Sun, 10 Mar 2002
Source: Sunday Times (Australia)
Copyright: 2002 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/438
Author: Sid Marris

NCA-FEDS MERGER RULED OUT

THE National Crime Authority will not be merged with the Australian Federal 
Police but the future of the controversial body remains in doubt.

Senior state and federal bureaucrats and police officers will meet tomorrow 
to discuss the shake-up of the authority and improvements to terrorism and 
transnational crime fighting. The meeting will set an agenda for 
ministerial discussions later this month on the fate of the NCA, and 
between commonwealth and state leaders in April.

It is understood the commonwealth will rule out folding the NCA into the AFP.

But it remains unclear whether the AFP will take over any of the NCA's 
responsibilities, as recommended in a confidential review of the 
organisation handed to the federal Government earlier this year.

Extra money may be offered to the states in order to help win their speedy 
legislative co-operation needed for the approach.

On Saturday, The Weekend Australian revealed a campaign, led by the Prime 
Minister, against the 18-year-old crime-fighting body, with the aim of 
killing it off and handing its powers to the AFP and a new Australian Crime 
Commission.

Mr Howard publicly criticised NCA chairman Gary Crooke for advocating 
legalised heroin trials. During the 2001 election campaign, the Prime 
Minister said it was time to consider the "reformation, abolition or 
replacement if necessary of the NCA". The review to the Government is 
contradictory, warning that the NCA has "lost the confidence of key 
stakeholders". But it also says its performance began to improve after 
recent internal and legislative changes.

Other law bodies have become increasingly concerned the NCA has been 
launching investigations on its own initiative rather than acting strictly 
under references from the states.
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MAP posted-by: Beth