Why do we need a National Strategy to Fight Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime?

Transnational, serious and organised crime threatens the safety, security and trust of our citizens, the prosperity of our businesses and economy, the integrity of our institutions, and ultimately our Australian way of life. We are facing a significant challenge to our national security.

These criminals who operate onshore and offshore deliberately and systematically target Australia to do as much harm and make as much money as possible: illicit drugs destroy communities; drug fuelled volume crime disrupts our lives; money laundering abuses our financial system, and distorts markets; cybercrime is rapidly growing and impacting an increasing number of Australians every day; and child sexual exploitation has lifelong rami cations for the victims and their families.

Transnational, serious and organised criminals are resilient, sophisticated and networked. They take advantage of political, economic, legal, technological and social changes in the world, and can adapt and diversify across multiple crime types. As the environment changes and criminals adapt, so too must our national response.

This Strategy provides a national framework to fight transnational, serious and organised crime. It provides a guide for governments, the private sector, civil society organisations, and the community in developing individual and collective responses to the threat.
This Strategy will inform the development of more detailed plans and actions at the national level, and within each state and territory, to build on and strengthen our existing efforts.