Page 722 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 19 March 2019
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MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Hanson for his question. I can advise that on 11 March this year, ACT Policing responded to a firearm incident in Richardson. Investigations reveal that a number of shots were fired into a residential premises. On 2 March, ACT Policing responded to a firearm incident in Theodore. Investigations revealed a number of shots fired into three separate residential premises. On 4 February this year, ACT police responded to a reported firearms-arson incident in Kambah.
On 25 January, Taskforce Nemesis arrested a 30-year-old man for aggravated robbery, inflicting grievous bodily harm, making a demand with a threat to kill and attempting to pervert the course of justice in Oaks Estate. The man was the president of the ACT chapter of the Satudarah OMCG and is presently remanded in custody. The matter remains before the court.
MR HANSON: Minister, in how many of these drive-by shootings and other incidents that you mentioned are members of outlaw motorcycle gangs suspected?
MR GENTLEMAN: In the aforementioned instances, Taskforce Nemesis is investigating and advise that they think that they are OMCG-related incidents.
MRS JONES: Minister, why has there been a significant increase in drive-by shootings in Canberra in recent years?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mrs Jones for her question. We are taking serious criminal gang activity very seriously, and ACT Policing are as well. We are doing this because of the resources provided by this government, along with the enhanced legislative powers that the Attorney-General has shepherded through this place. As we provide those resources to police, I note that the ACT Liberals voted against the budget which provided those resources last year.
Mr Hanson: On a point of order, Madam Speaker; if you could stop the clock, as a courtesy?
Members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, please! A point of order, Mr Hanson.
Mr Hanson: I appreciate that it is early days but the question specifically is: why has there been a significant increase in drive-by shootings, rather than what the government is doing? Why has there been an increase?
MADAM SPEAKER: In the minute, you have left, please, minister.
MR GENTLEMAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The advice to me from ACT Policing is that they are doing everything in their power, of course, to apprehend outlaw motorcycle gangs. They are doing a very good job. My understanding is that 50 per cent of those gang members in the ACT are now either behind bars or about to be behind bars. They are certainly before the courts.
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