Criminology Research Council grant ; (4/96-7)
A survey of a large sample of security managers revealed scepticism about the success of the Queensland Security Providers Act in reducing misconduct in the security industry. Respondents felt the licensing system was too restricted and enforcement was too weak to professionalise the industry to the desired standard; although there was some support for improved entry-level competency standards as a result of minimum training requirements. There was strong support for a range of reform measures. Respondents wanted comprehensive licensing of all industry sectors linked to a national system, improved training and assessment, frequent criminal history checks on licensees, more vigorous compliance monitoring, and compulsory insurance and monitoring of firms for award payments. National co-ordination of the states and territories and the security industry is needed to achieve these goals.