T. Prenzler et H. Hayes, An evaluation of the Queensland Security Providers Act: Implications for national regulation of the protective security industry, AUST NZ J C, 32(1), 1999, pp. 79-94
The expansion of protective security services in the last few decades has r
aised concerns about the privatisation of policing and accountability of 'n
on-police' law enforcement agencies. One response by governments has been t
o enlarge regulatory controls of the industry. A recent example is the Quee
nsland Security Providers Act 1993. This paper reports on a study designed
to obtain insiders' views on the impact of the Act. A survey of security ma
nagers revealed scepticism about the success of the legislation in reducing
misconduct and improving competency amongst security providers. Respondent
s felt the licensing system was too narrow and enforcement too weak to upgr
ade the industry to the desired standard - although there was some support
for improved entry-level standards as a result of minimum training requirem
ents. Strong support was expressed for a range of reform measures including
comprehensive licensing of all industry sectors linked to a national syste
m, improved training and assessment, frequent criminal history checks on li
censees, more vigorous compliance monitoring, and compulsory insurance and
monitoring of firms for award payments. A cooperative approach to regulatio
n and national co-ordination of the states and territories is needed to imp
lement these measures in order to improve standards of service delivery in
security work and protect the public interest.