Australia introduces Bill:

Measures to curb human smuggling

by Our Political Correspondent

The Government of Australia has taken stringent measures to curb human smuggling with the introduction of an Anti-People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill 2010. The new Bill is expected to support the Australian Government's multi-pronged approach in handling the smuggling of people down under.

Australian Attorney-General Robert McClelland MP, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans and Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor have released a joint statement highlighting, the new Bill in Australia to combat human smuggling.

The new Bill will enable the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to specifically investigate people smuggling and other serious border security threats.

The statement on the bill is as follows:

"The Bill includes additional offences targeting those who finance or provide support for people smuggling activities as well as strong penalties that recognise the seriousness of people smuggling offences, including:

* A new offence of providing material support for people smuggling with a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and/or a fine of $ 110,000,

* A new offence of people smuggling involving exploitation or danger of death or serious harm applying to ventures entering Australia, with a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment and/or a fine of $220,000.

* Ensuring that where a person is convicted of multiple people smuggling offences, mandatory minimum penalties set out in the Migration Act are applied; and

* Providing greater clarity and consistency by harmonising people smuggling offences in the Migration Act and the Criminal Code.

"The Bill also enable Australia's national security agencies to collect foreign intelligence about people smugglers and their networks.

"The Government is committed to targeting criminal groups who organise, participate in and benefit from people smuggling activities.

"This legislation represents an important part of the Government's comprehensive approach to combating people smuggling."