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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth