Page 2319 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 5 August 2015
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Questions without notice
ACT Policing—motorcycle gangs
MR HANSON: Madam Speaker, I have a question for the Attorney-General. Attorney-General, on 1 April 2009 you said:
I do not accept the assertion as a given that, because New South Wales legislates in one way, we will be swamped … by bikie gangs from New South Wales.
On 26 June this year, the CityNews quoted an ACT Policing statement regarding a meeting of the New South Wales chapter of the Rebels due to occur in the ACT the next day:
Police have information to suggest the ACT has become an attractive location for the holding of such meetings due to the absence of specific legislation in the ACT preventing the association of persons of the type typically found to be members of outlaw motorcycle gangs. Legislation such as consorting in NSW, has proved to be effective in reducing the occurrence of such events in those states.
Attorney-General, why have you failed to legislate to protect the people of the ACT and ignored police advice that the ACT has become an attractive location for gang activity?
MR CORBELL: I have not failed. Indeed, the advice from ACT Policing remained consistent for a period of time up until around 12 months ago, that there had been no significant displacement of outlaw motorcycle gang activity to the ACT.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr Hanson! You have asked your question.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr Hanson! Mr Hanson!
MR CORBELL: So between 2009 and 2014 the advice of the police was unchanged. That was that there was no significant or material displacement of outlaw motorcycle gang activity. That advice changed last year with the arrival—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr Hanson!
MR CORBELL: of a rival outlaw motorcycle gang, and last year I outlined that the government was, and it continues, preparing legislative options to further strengthen the police’s capacity to deal with these matters. The government has also supported ACT Policing through operation nemesis, which is a dedicated task force, to target outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video