PRIME MONISTER
FOR MEDIA 5 MAY 1979
JOINT TASK FORCE ON DRUG TRAFFICKING
The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Fraser, and the Premier of
New South Wales, Mr Wran, today jointly announced the establishment
of a Commonwealth/ State Task Force aimed at securing convictions
of persons engaged in drug-trafficking.
The two leaders said that the establishment of the Task Force
flowed from the joint recommendations of the Commonwealth
and New South Wales Royal Commissioners on Drugs, Mr Justice Williams
and Mr Justice Woodward. They praised the co-operative attitude
which had been adopted by the judges.
" Through their inquiries the two Royal Commissions have probed
into many areas associated with the drug problem and have been
able to identify possible leads to people involved in drug
trafficking", Mr Fraser and Mr Wran said. " T~ t is now the hope
of both our governments that the Task Force will follow these
leads and bring offenders before the Courts, and that convictions
will follow"
The Task Force represents a unique exercise in Commonwealth/ State
co-operations between law enforcement agencies. It will involve
elements of the New South Wales Police, the Commonwealth Police,
and the Federal Narcotics-Bureau and will operate independently
of other law enforcement agencies in the pursuit of particular
targets. The exercise, if successful, may lead to similar operations in
other States and Territories.
The Task Force will act on advice obtained from the R~ oyal Commissions
and from all relevant Commonwealth and State agencies. In particular,
the law enforcement agencies of the Coi-mmonwealth and the State will
supply all intelligence available to them relating to the targets
of the Joint Force.-
in accordance with the co-operative nature of-the arrangements,
the Commonwealth will provide accommodation for the Task Force
and expenditure other than the salaries of the officers involved
will be shared equally by the Commonwealth and the State. ./ 2
2
" The co-operative effort of the two Governments in setting up the
Task Force clearly demonstrates their concern at the extent of
illegal drug trafficking in this country, and the formation of
the Joint Force is a positive step towards more effective investigation
and suppression of drug offences", the two leaders said. " To say
this is not to overlook the significant contribution already made
by the State and Commonwealth law enforcement agencies in combating
the illegal drug trade, but rather to add a new dimension to the
fight against the despicable trafficking that endangers the lives
of so many Australians, particularly the young", said Mr Fraser
and Mr Wran.
" The existence of this new Force, and the heavy penalties now
available to the courts for those convicted of drug offences,
should act as a clear disincentive to those thinking of engaging
in this most insidious and destructive of crimes."
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