NSW Police Can Force People to Unlock Seized Computers for Organised Crime Probes; Fines or Jail for Blocking Access; Government Can Use Face-Matching Data and Toll Camera Photos; Higher Fines or Jail for Interfering with the NSW Crime Commission

Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Further Organised Crimes Reforms) Bill 2026

13 Oct 2026: MPs in the first house are debating whether this bill is a good idea in principle.

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Topics

criminal justice criminal penalties data privacy information sharing law enforcement police powers privacy road transport

Introduced by: The Hon Yasmin Catley MP (ALP)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Police officers can apply for a digital evidence access order to get data from a seized computer if they suspect it relates to organised crime. When applying, the officer does not have to reveal the identity of their sources.
People subject to a digital evidence access order for organised crime must provide any necessary help to access data, including using biometric scans like fingerprints or retina scans. They cannot refuse to help by claiming the information would incriminate them.
Giving false or misleading information in an application for a digital evidence access order, or failing to follow a direction under such an order, carries a fine of up to 100 penalty units (2026: $11,000) or 7 years jail.
The maximum jail term for failing to comply with a digital evidence access order (warrant) increases from 5 to 7 years.
Government agencies, including Transport for NSW, can collect, use, and share face-matching service information for lawful purposes. This overrides existing privacy laws where they conflict with these new powers.
Toll cameras are allowed to take photos of vehicles, drivers, and passengers. Using or disclosing these images is banned unless it is for collecting tolls, enforcing road laws, investigating serious crimes, or finding missing persons. People who misuse this information can be fined up to 50 penalty units (2026: $5,500).
Penalties for interfering with the NSW Crime Commission have increased. Giving false evidence at a hearing can lead to a fine of 1,000 penalty units (2026: $110,000) or 10 years jail. Failing to attend a hearing, breaking release conditions, or leaking evidence can lead to a fine of up to 200 penalty units (2026: $22,000) or 4 years jail.
The Commissioner of the NSW Crime Commission can immediately detain people who commit contempt in their presence without needing a summons. People held for contempt can be kept in a correctional facility or other location until they appear in the Supreme Court.
Prosecutors can choose to have certain NSW Crime Commission offences, such as failing to attend a hearing or leaking evidence, dealt with as more serious trials (on indictment).

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Susan Carter LIB

“I lead in debate for the Opposition on the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Further Organised Crimes Reforms) Bill 2026. At the outset, I advise the House that the Opposition recognises the serious crime problem we are facing in New South Wales and the increasing violence fuelled by organised crime.”

Official source →

Sue Higginson GRN

“On behalf of The Greens, I contribute to debate on the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Further Organised Crimes Reforms) Bill 2026. I begin by acknowledging the victims of the recent shootings motivated by organised crime across Sydney: Louis Meehan, Marco Tapia and Joshua Macdonald.”

Official source →

Natasha Maclaren-Jones LIB

“Organised crime is not opportunistic offending by isolated individuals; it is calculated, coordinated and profitable. Those behind it exploit technology, vulnerable people and gaps in the law, and Parliament must ensure that the law keeps pace.”

Official source →

Jeremy Buckingham LCP

“On behalf of the Legalise Cannabis Party and movement, as well as the millions of people who have demanded drug law reform in this State, I oppose the New South Wales Government’s Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Further Organised Crimes Reforms) Bill 2026. I associate myself with the brilliant speech just given by Ms Sue Higginson.”

Official source →

John Ruddick LIBT

“I commence my remarks by noting how intelligent and compelling Ms Sue Higginson’s contribution was. No-one is better in this Chamber when it comes to police powers. I suspect that Ms Sue Higginson will not like my speech as much as I liked hers, because my opposition to this bill is based on principle. When it suits them, The Greens do love a big, bossy government.”

Official source →

Mark Banasiak SFFP

“I speak in debate on the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Further Organised Crimes Reforms) Bill 2026. No member in this Chamber doubts that organised crime must be confronted. It must be disrupted, prosecuted and dismantled, but the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party does not support the bill in its current form.”

Official source →

Tara Moriarty ALP

“Susan Carter, Ms Sue Higginson, the Hon. Natasha Maclaren-Jones, the Hon. Jeremy Buckingham, the Hon. John Ruddick and the Hon. Mark Banasiak.”

Official source →

News articles and press releases

New NSW Bill Will Lead to Tenfold Increase in State Surveillance and Treats Everyday Commuters as Suspects

Timothy Roberts, NSWCCL President — 2026-08-21

We are looking at a future where police can demand your phone passcodes on the beat under threat of seven years in prison, using controversial forensic software to download your entire digital life including encrypted and deleted content.