Simon Power MP
National Party Justice & Corrections Spokesman

25 October 2007

Panicking Government blindsided SFO

The Government’s announcement that it was establishing the Organised Crime Agency blindsided the Serious Fraud Office, says National’s Justice & Corrections spokesman, Simon Power.

“It was clear in the Law & Order Select Committee yesterday that the SFO was taken completely by surprise by the decision to fold it into the OCA.

“SFO head David Bradshaw told the committee he first heard about the SFO’s demise only a few weeks before it was announced and after the decision had been made.

“He said no one had suggested to him that the SFO would disappear, even though he was involved in consultation about the formation of the OCA.

“This was a very shabby process.

“It was so rushed that they were making the decision at the same time they were interviewing applicants for Mr Bradshaw’s replacement and while they were sending to select committee the Criminal Proceeds Bill, which proposes giving the SFO the job of seizing illegally gained assets from criminals.

“The decision to wind the SFO into the OCA was made and announced in a panic – so much so that we still have no detail about how it will work or what powers it will have.

“There will need to be legislative changes in all the right areas if it is to have any impact.

“And much of the work, powers and processes of the SFO must be retained if we are to stay on top of top-end white collar crime.

“It’s essential that the process from now on is more measured than it has been.”

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