Crime fighting agencies to merge

Two of Australia's crime-fighting agencies are to merge.

Legislation introduced to parliament on Thursday will bring together the criminal intelligence and analysis capacities of the Australian Institute of Criminology and the Australian Crime Commission.

Assistant Treasurer Kelly O'Dwyer said that following the merger the AIC would form a new research branch of the ACC - the Australian Crime and Justice Research Centre.

Ms O'Dwyer said the new body would work primarily for the ACC, with far greater access to classified information.

It would continue to carry out national monitoring programs, such as deaths in custody and drug use.