New South Wales expands police powers to combat organized crime

The New South Wales Parliament has passed the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Further Organised Crime Reforms) Bill 2026, significantly expanding the powers of the NSW Police Force and the Crime Commission to combat organized crime.

Under the new legislation, the Crime Commission can compel suspects to immediately surrender digital devices to prevent evidence destruction. Failure to comply can result in up to four years in prison and a $4,400 fine. Additionally, maximum penalties for obstructing investigations or providing false evidence have been increased to 10 years. The law also introduces Interim Serious Crime Prevention Orders, allowing police to restrict a high-risk suspect’s associations, movements, and internet access while seeking final court orders.

Law enforcement will gain enhanced digital and surveillance capabilities, including Digital Evidence Access Orders for investigating drug trades, firebombings, and shootings. Police will also have access to unredacted images from public toll road cameras, starting with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel, to assist in serious indictable offence or missing persons investigations.

Furthermore, the reforms facilitate NSW’s participation in a Commonwealth biometric face-matching regime. This allows Transport for NSW to share driver licence and photo card images with a centralized database to prevent the use of stolen identities in organized crime.