This Briefing Paper provides a brief overview of the influence of law and order issues on politics and surveys the latest trends to have emerged regarding the rate of crime. It reviews relevant legislation passed between 1999 and 2002 in each state and territory. Reference is made throughout to briefing papers that contain further information on a particular statute where relevant. Finally, the paper summarises the trends in law and order that have emerged since 1999 and notes the areas in which future development of the criminal law is likely.