Immigration and AFP work to break sex trafficking syndicate
Friday, 7 March 2008
The Australian Government condemns the actions of a syndicate that allegedly exploited South Korean women, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said today.
'The Rudd Government is serious about preventing the insidious crime of people trafficking and the exploitation of women in the sex industry.
'I congratulate the officers in the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and the Australian Federal Police for their hard work and dedication demonstrated through the result of the joint operation in Sydney.
'I understand this operation is the result of months of meticulous investigative work by both agencies.'
Where offences have occurred in relation to the Migration Act, the department will be looking to pursue these matters in addition to potential criminal charges.
The maximum sentences for offences relating to sexual servitude under the Migration Act are $165,000 and/or five years' imprisonment.
Victims are provided with support and counselling and granted temporary visas to allow them to remain in Australia lawfully.
Senator Evans said today's operation was a good example of agencies working together to stamp out people trafficking syndicates.
'This type of cooperation not only happens here within Australia but also in our compliance overseas network,' the Minister said.
'To assist in combating this crime at its source, my department has recently increased the number of positions for officers specifically for the prevention of trafficking.'
New positions have been established in Beijing and Manila which complement the position in Bangkok, with the aim of detecting fraud in visa caseloads that may lead to trafficking.
'I expect this collaborative work across government will continue as demonstrated by the results of this Sydney joint operation,' Senator Evans said.
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08020.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST