The Turnbull Government will commit further funding to Crime Stoppers Australia to continue the Dob in a Dealer campaign nationwide in 2018-19.
One million dollars will be provided from assets confiscated by the Commonwealth as proceeds of crime, meaning the program will be fully funded by money that was once destined to line the pockets of our most serious criminals.
Dob in a Dealer is a call to action to the Australian community to provide Crime Stoppers with information that will assist law enforcement disrupt the import, manufacture and supply of ice and other harmful illicit drugs.
The Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton announced the new funding in the electorate of Longman in Queensland where the previous campaign produced strong results.
The last Dob in a Dealer campaign, which ran between February 2016 and March 2017, saw an average increase of 95 per cent in drug-related information reports, including an increase of 143 per cent in the number of amphetamine-related reports from the public.
During 2016 in Queensland alone, Crime Stoppers received more than 17,000 drug-related information reports, including more than 5200 amphetamine-related reports. This led to more than 600 arrests and the seizure of more than $1 million worth of drugs.
“The campaign puts the spotlight on those involved in the making and selling of illicit drugs across Australia,” Mr Dutton said.
“By using proceeds of crime funding, the Government is depriving criminals of their illicitly obtained assets while channelling this money back into our communities and reducing the impacts of crime.
“Every dealer, no matter how large or small their enterprise, is connected to organised crime. Their actions are far reaching and they are causing significant harm to Australian families and communities.”
The Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Angus Taylor said assistance from the community is a cornerstone of effective police work.
“Our law enforcement agencies are among the best in the world, but disrupting these criminals and their supply chains can start with intelligence-gathering from the community,” Mr Taylor said.
“This campaign is a vital initiative to help our agencies eradicate the scourge of drugs from our communities.”
The LNP Candidate for Longman Mr Trevor Ruthenberg said the Dob in a Dealer program demonstrates the commitment the Turnbull Government has to tackling organised crime in Longman.
“Susan Lamb has had two years to address the scourge of drugs on the Longman community and is clearly soft on crime or she would have done something by now,” Mr Ruthenberg said.
“Once again Susan Lamb and Labor are missing in action when it comes to keeping the local community safe from the crippling effect of organised crime.
“No one can trust backflip Bill Shorten to keep anyone safe at the moment as he’s too busy protecting his own job.”
As part of this campaign, Crime Stoppers will visit local communities across Australia to ask residents to be active in reporting those that are involved in the manufacture and supply of illicit drugs.
This funding to the Dob in a Dealer campaign is just one of the many initiatives that are being funded from proceeds of crime to help law enforcement agencies and communities prevent crime across Australia.
The Government recently approved an additional $23 million in proceeds of crime funding to Commonwealth law enforcement agencies such as the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission to help prevent crime in our community.
If you have information about someone who is manufacturing or dealing drugs you can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppers.com.au. You can remain anonymous.
For further information: Minister Dutton’s Office – 02 6277 7860; Minister Taylor’s office – Alicja Rudz, 0481 907 178.
Increase in drug and amphetamine-related Information Reports from the previous
Dob in a Dealer campaign.
| State/Territory | % increase in drug-related Information Reports | % increase in amphetamine-related Information Reports |
| Australian Capital Territory | 46% | 124% |
| New South Wales | 107% | 149% |
| Northern Territory | 129% | 101% |
| Queensland | 86% | 138% |
| South Australia | 132% | 253% |
| Tasmania | 68% | 140% |
| Victoria | 146% | 187% |
| Western Australia | 49% | 57% |
| National Average | 95% | 143% |