Nearly $12 million seized from criminals will be used to fund a programme fighting meth and gang-linked harm, the Government has announced.
The money, provided through the Proceeds of Crime Fund, was announced by Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee and Associate Police Minister Casey Costello today.
"We are taking money off criminals and putting it straight back into stopping gangs from recruiting, reducing meth harm, and supporting practical frontline initiatives that work," said McKee.
The near $12m came through application of the powers of the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act of 2009.
It allowed police to seize cash and assets considered proceeds of crime. Recovered money is placed in the Proceeds of Crime Fund, which is then used to help fund programmes through the Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC).
The ROCC group works across government agencies, community organisations, service providers, and local leaders.
"When police crack down on gangs and drug networks, communities are often left dealing with the fallout. ROCC helps provide immediate support on the ground so gangs cannot simply move back in and regain influence," said McKee.
Previous initiatives from ROCC focused on cooking and life skill programmes, counselling, employment, relationship and parenting support in areas of need and among those at risk of gang recruitment.
"This increased funding for ROCC provides greater funding certainty for providers supporting programmes with measurable outcomes – keeping young people in school, reducing reoffending, helping people into work, and breaking cycles of addiction and crime," said Costello.
The funding decision comes from the Proceeds of Crime Fund's out-of-cycle process for time-sensitive initiative and not Budget 2026.
SHARE ME