“Unlike illicit drugs where profit is generated once, when the commodity is a human being, their abuse or exploitation can become a regular income stream.

“This type of organised criminal is certainly a motivated offender,” Mr Kershaw said.

The expansion of organised crime is among the challenging threats drawing on the agency’s resources, carrying the potential to impact on social cohesion, youth safety, and Australian democracy, he said.

The well-publicised drug enforcements have prevented harm, including through the prevention of four tonnes of methamphetamine coming into the country since 2019.

“What is less known is how organised criminals are directly targeting our superannuation nest eggs, our children, and the vulnerable,” Mr Kershaw said.

It includes through “sextortion” scams pushing children to suicide, and human trafficking for sexual servitude, he said.

The AFP is also preparing to keep parliamentarians safe in the lead-up to the next election, amid a concerning rise in harassment and threats, reflecting a global trend.

Reports have increased by 160 per cent in the past four years, and there have already been 725 reports this financial year, the commissioner said 

“I am concerned about this trend,” he said.

“Threats against our parliamentarians are a threat to our democracy and we are starting to plan our response given a federal election will be held within a year,” Mr Kershaw said.

Senator James Paterson recently called on the AFP’s close personal protection team.

“They are highly responsive and gave very good advice, which was heeded,” he said.

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