Aussie police failing to protect informants could be jailed for 10 years

The Australian state of Victoria will take a tougher stance on police who fail in their duty to properly guard people placed in witness protection following a damning review of the system's failures.

Under new legislation to be introduced in Victorian parliament on Wednesday, police who interfere or make unnecessary contact with a witnesses will face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The government has been forced to tighten up the legislation surrounding witness protection where individuals are placed into police custody after they assist law enforcement in their investigations after a damning report by the corruption watchdog.

Last year, Victoria's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) filed an internal report, obtained by local media, saying police had shown "negligence of a high order" with witnesses in their protection.

The new laws, which will be supervised by Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton, will make members of the force more answerable if they fail to protect people who turn informant, Victoria's acting Police Minister Robin Scott said.

"Our witness protection system must provide strong protection to people who put themselves at risk by cooperating with police on criminal matters," Scott told News Corp on Wednesday.

"These reforms will ensure greater oversight and accountability, while also maintaining the necessary secrecy associated with the highly sensitive decisions."

ICAC will also conduct an audit of the witness protection program to ensure compliance with the new legislation.

It is unknown how many Victorians or Australians are currently in witness protection as the figure cannot be released publicly for security reasons. Endit