Australian Federal Police could become carbon cops

Ben Packham
The Australian
May 21, 2011

The Australian Federal Police could be required to investigate new climate change offences under Julia Gillard’s carbon tax, sparking concerns over the agency’s resourcing.

As Julia Gillard today declared her carbon tax would be “shyster” proof, the Australian Federal Police Association warned the policy would have a dramatic impact on the force.

Department of Climate Change advice, obtained by The Australian Online, confirms provisions were made under the dumped carbon pollution reduction scheme to appoint AFP officers as climate inspectors.

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet’s office said enforcement arrangements under the proposed carbon tax were yet to be finalised.

But AFPA president Jim Torr said there was little doubt the AFP would be required to play a role in policing the scheme.

“Tax evasion is one of the big things the AFP works on,” he told The Australian Online.

Full article here

This article was posted: Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 9:20 am

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