NSW Govt to reform and improve security industry
7th June 2012Ministerial media release
The NSW Government will reform the security industry to protect the community and remove corrupt practices and rogue operators, Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher said today.
"After years of community criticism of sectors of the security industry, particularly in relation to crowd control, the Government is ending the co-regulatory relationship between the industry and the Government because it simply isn't working.
"I've been concerned for many years about the risk of organised criminal groups infiltrating legitimate security businesses, gaining access to firearms and intelligence that would benefit their criminal enterprise.
"The new model will see the NSW Police Force being the over-arching regulatory body with new powers to target the cowboys and assist the legitimate operators.
"Our new approach will enhance enforcement and regulation by the NSW Police Force which will have the powers it needs to audit and enforce the security industry laws," the Minister said.
"The security industry is a vital linchpin in our State's fight against crime. The security industry is uniquely positioned to be extra eyes and ears for Police, and its members play a vital role in the day to day protection of critical infrastructure and potential targets for terrorism and criminal acts.
"The reforms will also enact recommendations of the ICAC relating to resilience against corruption.
"Police's ability to regulate the security industry will be enhanced by ensuring all powers under the Security Industry Act necessary for effective compliance auditing and compliance investigations can be exercised by authorised civilian employees of Police.
"To make sure that industry is part of the increased oversight, we are establishing the Security Licensing and Enforcement Directorate (SLED) Advisory Council, which will replace the Security Industry Council. Its role will be to advise on how we can improve industry compliance, address industry barriers, improve industry competence and discuss the agenda facing the industry.
"The advisory council will be made up representatives from Police's State Crime Command, Security Licensing and Enforcement Directorate (SLED), the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services and industry representatives.
"In an important safety change, SLED and the Alcohol and Licensing Enforcement Command will work together more closely to conduct high visibility and covert police operations and audits on identified premises.
"Importantly, the enhanced SLED will help business get on with their job by offering quicker processing of applications, proactive enforcement and auditing, education campaigns and enhanced customer service.
"Further important changes will see new subclasses of master licensee for those with less than 50 employees, meaning industry fees better reflect the size of a business, and the Government will be cracking down on the practice of sub-contracting out security services without open disclosure to clients.
"The reforms have been drafted in consultation with the security industry, and in recognition of the fact that the overwhelming majority of security companies and employees do the right thing," Minister Gallacher concluded.
NSW Govt to reform and improve security industry (PDF 170KB)