Title: Dataset of extractive and destructive crime cases in Australia's criminal justice system, 1995-2024
Abstract: Wildlife and environmental crime (WEC) is recognised as a worldwide issue, and is estimated to be the fourth largest organised transnational crime sector. While global assessments of these crimes and their impacts have been increasingly conducted, there is little understanding of the scope of WEC in an Australian context, despite the nation’s high rate of endemism and extinction. We reviewed publicly available case files from Australia’s intermediate and higher courts to construct a dataset providing insight into the nature and extent of WEC. Our study has produced the first dataset to quantify publicly available WEC prosecution data for Australia on a national scale. We found that native vegetation clearance, illegal fishing and wildlife trafficking offences were the most prevalent and collected data that can be analysed in future comparative and empirical research projects to assess the effectiveness of specialist environment courts, penalties for environmental crimes and cross-jurisdictional legislation.
For data collection method, refer to:
Onley, I. R., Alber, J., Smith, K. A. F., Toole, K., Chadwick, D. L., Williams, C., & Cassey, P. (2026). Crime and punishment in the outback: A review of extractive and destructive green crime cases in Australia's criminal justice system. Conservation Science and Practice, e70232. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.70232