Page 5282 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 29 November 2017
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The government passed further reforms this week to add to the suite of laws already available to police. The government worked closely with ACT Policing to develop these measures. I thank the Chief Police Officer and ACT Policing for continuing to engage with the government to develop reforms which are effective and compliant with the ACT human rights framework.
In 2014 ACT Policing established Taskforce Nemesis. Nemesis is a team within ACT Policing dedicated to investigating criminal activity in the ACT. With the suite of laws already available to ACT Policing, Taskforce Nemesis has been responsible for initiating 86 prosecutions against criminal gang members, for a total of 262 criminal offences. Taskforce Nemesis has monitored all runs that have been conducted in the ACT by criminal gangs since its inception and continues to closely monitor local and interstate members. During November 2017 a number of search warrants were conducted in relation to OMCG members and associates. Results from the search warrants include the seizure of multiple firearms, including two automatic rifles, a pump action shotgun and two sawn-off shotguns and the seizure of a large quantity of various ammunition for those firearms. Nemesis is progressing investigations into a number of targeted incidents and investigating any links to criminal gangs.
The government continues to support Taskforce Nemesis to increase its investigation capability by ensuring that it is adequately resourced. The commonwealth government is also supportive of Taskforce Nemesis, embedding a member of the national anti-gang squad within ACT Policing to better support links between the ACT and other states and territories. This nationally concerted effort has seen positive results Australia wide. Since the establishment of the anti-gang squad, over 1,000 offenders have been arrested across Australia. Taskforce Nemesis has contributed to this achievement, and I commend ACT Policing for its dedication to keeping Canberra safe.
It is evident that ACT Policing continues to deliver outstanding results with the suite of laws available to address serious and organised criminal activity in the ACT. The government will continue to support its efforts to combat criminal groups. This includes the delivery of measured and appropriate reforms in tranches, as required. Due to the inherent issues with the bill that I have explained, and the lack of evidence that criminal organisation laws will be effective in the ACT, I cannot support the passage of this bill.
MR HANSON (Murrumbidgee) (4.56), in reply: At the outset I express my genuine disappointment about the response of the Labor Party and the Greens today. As you would know, Madam Assistant Speaker, this has been an issue that has been front and centre since 2009. At that time Nathan Rees, the Premier of New South Wales, introduced new laws and said he was going to drive the bikies out of New South Wales. When I said we would become an oasis for bikie activity, those opposite, the Labor Party and the Greens, scoffed. As you know, Madam Assistant Speaker, they were wrong. What we have seen—
Ms Cheyne: It’s Madam Deputy Speaker to you.
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