Introduction

Recognising the need to establish an interdisciplinary research and teaching centre to address the problems of transnational crime, the University of Wollongong established the Centre for Transnational Crime Prevention (CTCP) in July 2000.

The Minister for Justice and Customs, the Hon Senator Chris Ellison, launched CTCP on 29 June 2001. Key University stakeholders include the Faculties of Commerce, Arts and Informatics.

CTCP focuses on the operation, prevention and responses to organised criminal activities that impact on regional and global security, including:

• narcotics production and trafficking
• firearms and people trafficking
• smuggling
• fraud & money laundering
• corruption
• terrorism
• internet crime
• paedophile activity
• natural resources poaching
• illegal shipment of hazardous waste
• cybercrime
• identity theft

CTCP is evolving as an Asia-Pacific Regional focal point for the exchange of information and research on Transnational Crime. The Centre has undertaken work funded by international institutions such as AusAid, ASEAN, ADB, UNODC and ASEM. In addition the Centre has delivered specialised programs in 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The Centre has developed appropriate national and international networks and works in collaboration with government organisations as well as commercial entities such as:

• Beijing Centre for Transnational Crime Prevention (BCTCP)
• University Indonesia
• Prasetio, Sarwoko & Sandjaja – Ernst & Young, Indonesia
• Victoria University of Wellington (NZ)
• IDSS – Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)
• The Distillery (Canberra)
• University of Pittsburgh (USA)
• Aojing International (China)
• Universidad Libre (Colombia)
• Institut Latihan Kehakiman & Perundangan (ILKAP – Malaysia)
• Illawarra Technology Corporation

The relationship with the Beijing Management College of Politics and Law saw the launch by the Beijing Government of the inter-disciplinary Beijing Centre for Transnational Crime Prevention (BCTCP) in November 2004. Leading to greater collaboration with Government and non-government institutions like the Public Security Bureau and Tsinghua University.

CTCP is making strong progress towards being an important global resource in the fight against transnational crime.

Within Australia, researchers and course work program participants come from Police Services, Customs, Immigration, Tax and Specialist Law Enforcement Agencies, Financial Institutions, the Accounting Profession (including audit, assurance, consultancy and forensic services), Insolvency Practices, the Legal Sector and Private Security Organisations. International participants come from like institutions in other countries as well as from international agencies.