NEW LAW WILL STOP CASH FLOW TO PEOPLE SMUGGLERS

New laws to help stem the flow of money for
people smuggling ventures, as well as other serious crimes, were passed by the
Australian Parliament.

"People smugglers need money to launch their dangerous ventures and we're
committed to stopping them from getting the funds they need to conduct their
criminal trade," Minister for Justice Brendan O'Connor said Thursday.

"Law enforcement agencies are concerned about the role the remittance sector
can inadvertently play in facilitating people smuggling," O'Connor said in a
statement.

"We're dedicated to doing all we can to help our law enforcers stop this
terrible trade in human life," he said.

O'Connor said the amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and
Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 would strengthen the regulation of the
remittance sector.

Remittance dealers accept payment in one location and arrange an equivalent
payment to someone in another location overseas.

"These measures will help reduce the risk of remittance dealers facilitating
people smuggling, as well as money-laundering, terrorism financing and other
serious crimes.

"This is another concrete example of this Government's commitment to
stopping dangerous and inhumane people smugglers profiting from this serious
crime," said O'Connor.

These new laws complement legislation passed last year, which mean people
who provide material support to people smugglers now face up to 10 years' jail
and fines of up to A$110,000.