Part IAC of the
Crimes Act 1914 (the Act) provides a statutory scheme for the Chief Officer of law enforcement agencies, defined in section 15K of the Act to include the Department of Home Affairs (the Department), to grant authorities for law enforcement officers to acquire or use assumed identities where it is necessary for one or more purposes listed in subsection 15KB(2) of the Act.
Under subsection 15LD(1), the Department is required to provide a report to the Minister as soon as practicable after the end of the financial year, detailing:
- the number of authorities granted during the year
- a general description of the activities undertaken by authorised civilians and authorised law enforcement officers when using assumed identities under Part IAC during the year
- the number of applications for authorities that were refused during the year
- the number of authorities of which control was transferred by the Chief Officer under section 15KV during the year
- the number of authorities of which control was transferred to the Chief Officer under section 15KV during the year
- a statement whether or not any fraud or other unlawful activity was identified by an audit under section 15LG during the year
- any other information relating to authorities and assumed identities and the administration of Part IAC that the Minister considers appropriate.
Subsection 15LD(3) of the Act requires the Minister to table a copy of the report before each House of Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the day on which the Minister receives the report.
