Page 723 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 19 March 2019
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Whilst I note the claim that Mr Hanson makes in regard to the increased activity of drive-by shootings, it is of course their business model to instil fear and intimidation in members of other groups of OMCGs in the ACT, and we see that rivalry continue.
Crime—motorcycle gangs
MS LAWDER: My question is to the Attorney-General. Attorney, since the last sitting there has been yet another bikie attack in our suburbs. In the latest incident, a woman was hospitalised with a gunshot wound to her shoulder. Two other people were inside the home when the bullets struck. Police said that the home had been targeted in an attack on members of the Nomads outlaw motorcycle gang. Attorney, why will you not give ACT police the power to prevent these attacks before someone is killed or maimed?
MR RAMSAY: I thank the member for her question, noting that there will be a substantive debate on this matter in the Assembly tomorrow. The implication, I know, behind the question is that anti-consorting laws are the be-all and end-all and that they will provide the powers to Policing to prevent a crime. It is important for that to be cleared up very quickly: that is not true; that is not accurate; and the evidence does not suggest it.
What we have been doing throughout this term of government, and what we will continue to do, is to provide ACT Policing with powers that are truly effective, are disruptive and will enable them to engage in appropriate levels of law enforcement and also prosecutions. We continue to do that with a number of matters that we have already brought in: crime scene powers and the new offence in relation to a drive-by shooting. We have worked with anti-fortification powers, which are specifically about disrupting activity, and we have resourced Taskforce Nemesis, who are particularly effective at disrupting and preventing crime.
I congratulate and affirm ACT Policing for their work, noting that we will not grandstand on powers that have been proven to be ineffective and sell snake oil to the Canberra community, as the Canberra Liberals are choosing to do at the moment. We will provide powers that are effective as well as making sure that we retain safety in our community.
MS LAWDER: Attorney, what extra measures is the government taking to prevent—not just punish, but to prevent—attacks such as the one last week?
MR RAMSAY: I thank the member for her question. Certainly, what this government is doing is providing effective means. What we will do—noting that this is a matter that is present in all jurisdictions across Australia, including those with the powers that the Canberra Liberals would like us to have here, which prove to be ineffective in other jurisdictions—is make sure that Policing has effective powers.
That is why we have signed the intergovernmental agreement in relation to unexplained wealth. That is why we have resourced ACT Policing. That is why we have resourced the DPP in relation to the confiscation of criminal assets. All of this is
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