Page 1687 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 1 April 2009
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(a) liaise with all other Federal, State and Territory governments to determine what current legislation is in place and what is being proposed to combat organised crime organisations, especially OMCG; and
(b) report back to the Assembly with a summary of other legislation and action being taken by other jurisdictions by the first sitting day in May 2009; and
(4) directs the Government to introduce into the Assembly by the last sitting day in May 2009 legislation that will address deficiencies in current ACT law and ensure consistency with other jurisdictions so that the ACT does not become vulnerable to organised crime, especially OMCG.
We are debating this motion today cognately with the minister’s motion in response to the decision by the Premier of New South Wales to drive organised criminals—specifically, outlaw motorcycle gangs—out of New South Wales. He felt it necessary to take strong action in response to recent events that are well documented in New South Wales involving outlaw motorcycle gangs. He said on 24 March:
I want to get the best legal minds over the next week, put together a package that is robust and drive these criminals out of New South Wales.
His decision has had a ripple effect across other jurisdictions, including Queensland, which is indicating that it will follow suit. South Australia already has made legislative changes along the lines of those being proposed by New South Wales.
The impact on the ACT of these legislative changes will be significant. If we sit here vainly hoping that the ACT will be isolated from the worst elements of organised crime, then we are failing in our duty to maintain the safety of our community. This is not a knee-jerk reaction; this is a serious response to events that are happening right now in New South Wales and elsewhere.
Organised crime and outlaw motorcycle gangs are a reality. They are a real problem throughout Australia, and our relatively low number of members and incidents should not lull us into the illusion that we are not vulnerable if we do not stay in step with legislative changes in other jurisdictions in Australia. This is a national problem, and we need to be part of a national solution.
I am not making this up. In a letter to me yesterday the President of the Australian Federal Police Association quoted evidence from the South Australia government to advise:
… that the effect of the South Australian reform program has seen displacement interstate of some members of criminal groups that could be targeted by South Australia’s new laws. Displacement of this kind may continue to occur in order to avoid the reach of legislation.
Further, the Australian Crime Commission has also given an opinion that:
… anticipating legislation that will effectively outlaw OMCGs in South Australia, there are indications that some outlaw groups have already relocated to other jurisdictions.
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