NSW: Government cracks down on movement of stolen goods

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2005
NSW: Government cracks down on movement of stolen goods

(Embargoed until 0001 AEST April 4)



SYDNEY, April 4 AAP - A state government crackdown on the movement of stolen goods
has resulted in reforms covering pawnbrokers and second-hand dealers, Fair Trading Minister
John Hatzistergos said today.

Mr Hatzistergos announced stage two of government reforms introduced to minimise the
sale of stolen goods through dealers.

Stage one began in December 2003 and included requirements for information disclosure
by pawnbrokers and a new process for consumers to recover their stolen goods.

"From today, the 1,200 pawnbrokers and second-hand dealers in NSW must obtain detailed
evidence from people pawning goods - to prove their identity and date of birth," Mr Hatzistergos
said in a statement.

At least one document from a government authority must be included and corporations
offering goods must provide their Australian Business Number (ABN), he said.

The documents would make it easier to identify and trace people pawning items.

"Another priority in cracking down on the movement of stolen goods is accurate record
keeping," Mr Hatzistergos said.

Second-hand dealers must now make records on the day they acquire or dispose of goods,
and make it clear the price they paid for goods, he said.

Pawnbrokers would also find the new laws would simplify the process of disposing of
unredeemed goods, he said.

"No longer will pawnbrokers be forced to sell unredeemed goods through public auction,
which can be time-consuming and costly for low value items, but instead they can now sell
them onsite," Mr Hatzistergos said.

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KEYWORD: PAWN (EMBARGOED)

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