Photo: RNZ/Lillian Hanly
The final report from an advisory group on organised crime is calling on the government to urgently implement its proposed solutions, which include a dedicated minister, a refreshed strategy and a charter that would ensure agencies could be accountable.
It warns against implementing a "smaller, scaled back option" of the recommendations, because it will "not achieve the results we need".
A dedicated transnational serious organised crime (TSOC) minister would lead delivery and drive cross-agency accountability, while a charter would formally recognise organised crime as New Zealand's greatest national security threat, the report states.
Chair of the ministerial advisory group, Steve Symon told RNZ the work is now done, but it's up to the government to enact it.
"[Organised crime] is not a threat that might happen in the future. It's one that is happening now to New Zealand, but it potentially may get much worse, and so that's why we need to treat it with the seriousness that it deserves, and have a response that's bold enough to fight it."
Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
The report, titled LEAD BOLDLY, ACT DE
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