Draft - Second-Hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Amendment Bill 2003

Consultation Paper

The nature and extent of property crime is of considerable concern to the people of Tasmania.

This Bill proposes the introduction of several measures to restrict the potential for the disposal of stolen property through second-hand dealers, pawnbrokers and markets.

If the Bill is passed, the following requirements will be imposed on second-hand dealers, pawnbrokers and promoters of second-hand goods markets:

• A second-hand dealer or pawnbroker will be required to verify the identity of a person with whom they contract, using a point system based on sighting a range of identification documents.
  
• Second-hand dealers and pawnbrokers will also be required to notify police within 24 hours of receiving or purchasing certain high-risk goods, such as TV's, VCR's, computers, chainsaws, bicycles etc.
  
• It will be an offence for a second-hand dealer or pawnbroker to receive any goods which have had a serial number or other identification altered or removed.
  
• Second hand dealers will be required to keep records on computer for ease of checking.
  
• Interstate second-hand dealers will be required to keep goods acquired in Tasmania in the State for 7 days after their acquisition.
  
• Promoters of second-hand goods markets will be required to verify the identity of any person proposing to sell second-hand goods at the market. This verification will be on the basis of the usual points system.

Comments or queries on the Bill can be directed to:-  emma.gunn@justice.tas.gov.au

The Bill was passed by Parliament in 2003.

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