From: statements@qld.gov.au

Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 9:08 AM

To: mark@spaal.asn.au

Subject: Fair Trading continues to flush out dodgy security guards

Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading
The Honourable Peter Lawlor
07/02/2010

Fair Trading continues to flush out dodgy security guards

Crooked security guards continue to be turned away from or kicked out of Queensland's security industry thanks to the Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) strict measures to protect the public from rogue operators.

Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor said Queensland had more than 27,000 licensed security providers and the OFT - which administers and checks security licences throughout the state - would not tolerate those who posed a risk to the safety of the community.

"As well as training and character reference checks, anyone who applies for a licence or applies to renew their licence goes through criminal history checks to ensure their suitability for working in the industry," Mr Lawlor said.

"If these checks show the person has criminal convictions for disqualifying offences, they are refused a licence outright - it's as simple as that.

"Since July 2009 alone, the OFT has refused 133 people security provider licences."

Mr Lawlor said those who did hold a licence were continually monitored.

"Our SCRAM system - short for Suitability, Checking, Reporting and Monitoring - checks every licensed security provider against Queensland Police Service records each night," Mr Lawlor said.

"The system shows whether anyone who has a licence has been charged with a disqualifying offence, which includes assault, sexual assault, fraud, stealing and drug offences as well as murder.

"If a security licence holder is detected by SCRAM as having been charged with one of these disqualifying offences they have 28 days to show cause why they should not be suspended pending the outcome of the charges.

"If convicted of the offence, the licence is immediately cancelled."

Mr Lawlor said the OFT had issued a total of 194 show cause notices, of which 170 were a result of SCRAM, since July last year.

"In this time, 31 licences were cancelled," he said.

The main reasons s ecurity providers had their licences cancelled, or refused on application, included drug related offences, stealing, assault and endangering other's life and health.

For more information about security provider licences or to check online if a security provider is licensed, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au

Media contact: 3224 2002

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