Page 2861 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 24 June 2009
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organised criminal activity; legislation, introduced or proposed in the New South Wales and Queensland parliaments and other Australian jurisdictions to provide for special powers to combat outlaw motorcycle gangs; other legislative developments internationally that could be of relevance to combating organised crime groups in the territory and any available evidence as to the efficacy and operation of such legislation; the human rights issues raised by legislation that provides for mechanisms similar to those contained in the South Australian legislation that allow for the banning of certain organisations in circumstances where a sufficient nexus can be established between the organisation and criminal activity; and legislative changes that may be considered to enhance the ACT’s response to serious organised crime groups and activities.
Mr Speaker, there is no doubt that serious organised crime continues to present many challenges for governments around the world. Organised crime has been at the forefront of media attention in Australia more recently as a result of the high-profile gangland killings in Victoria and the activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs, OMCGs, in a number of states, although events such as these are not new.
The government report that I table today is a comprehensive and factual document designed to inform the debate and provide members with the facts that exist, not idle speculation or anecdotal comment.
The fact is that it is just too early to say whether legislative responses such as those taken in South Australia and New South Wales will be effective to meet the stated objectives. Indeed, international experience may provide some evidence in support of the proposition that laws such as those in South Australia and New South Wales may actually make matters worse.
The first declaration under the South Australian legislation has only just been made and the police commissioner has commenced seeking control orders against named individuals. Legal challenges to the legislation have been indicated together with the call for legislative amendments already being made.
Victoria and Tasmania have indicated that they will not be introducing legislation of the kind currently in place in South Australia and New South Wales.
This is not to say that there is a failure of national will when it comes to the issue of effectively addressing the scourge of organised crime in our country. To the contrary. The meeting in April this year of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, which I hosted and chaired, agreed that organised crime is a national issue requiring a nationally coordinated response.
The commonwealth is developing an organised crime strategic framework to enhance understanding of the threats from organised crime; improve capacity to effectively prevent, disrupt, investigate and prosecute organised crime activities; and strengthen information sharing and interoperability. A SCAG officers group has been established to undertake this work. I note that the federal Attorney-General, Mr McClelland, announced the government’s approach on this matter earlier today.
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