27 May 2015

Organised Crime Bill passes second reading

8:36 pm on 27 May 2015

Legislation targeting bribery and corruption has passed its second reading in Parliament tonight.

New Zealand Beehive; parliament

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

The Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Bill gives law-enforcement agencies greater powers to tackle illicit activities such as money laundering, fraud and drug-related crime.

It also allows police to share information with their international counterparts, and introduces new offences to address identity crime.

Justice Minister Amy Adams said the legislation would strengthen New Zealand's response to organised crime here and overseas.