The New South Wales Crime Commission also known as ‘the Commission’ was established in 1986 and is a statutory corporation of the New South Wales Government. The Commission operates under the direction of the Commissioner with an objective to reduce the incidence of organised and other serious crime across the state of New South Wales.
The Commission was first established pursuant to the New South Wales Crime Commission Act 1985. The Act has since been repealed by the Crime Commission Act 2012 (‘the Act’) which outlines our key functions.
The Commission is headed by a Commissioner, currently Michael Barnes. The Commissioner is appointed by the Governor and the Governor may, with the concurrence of the Commissioner, appoint two or more Assistant Commissioners for the Commission, at least one of whom must have special legal qualifications.
The Commission is unique in its investigative and intelligence gathering powers. It is one of the few law enforcement and intelligence agencies in Australia that can hold hearings and supply evidence obtained in the course of its investigations to courts and various agencies. Our investigative work facilitates prosecutions and aids in disrupting future criminal activities. The Commission uses its analytical expertise in assessing intelligence and other information gathered as well as providing technological assistance to other agencies investigating criminal networks. The Commission has special powers to proactively confiscate the proceeds of crime in New South Wales, putting a stop to illegal activities often before the perpetrator is dealt with by the courts.