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Conference Papers

Keynote address

Dean Wells

Published in:
Complex commercial fraud : proceedings of a conference held 20-23 August 1991
Peter N Grabosky (ed)
ISBN 0 642 16992 6 ; ISSN 1034-5086
(AIC Conference Proceedings; no. 10)

Abstract

Leniency in applying the penalties for commercial fraud indicate that Australians are inclined to tolerate these acts more than other serious crimes. Wells speculates on those aspects of the Australian national character which foster such attitudes, and dispels some of the myths which underlie popular beliefs about commercial fraud (particularly in relation to tax avoidance). He notes that commercial crime has gained momentum, and if it is not contained the credibility of Australian enterprises will be tarnished. There is a need for more regulation of the commercial marketplace to prevent and control the incidence of fraud and other crimes.