TRUE COLOURS
LAW MOVE Libs crack down on bikies
OUTLAW bikie gangs will no longer be able to masquerade as law-abiding motorcycle enthusiasts, with the Hodgman Government moving to give police the laws they say are needed to crack down on the clubs.
Police Minister Michael Ferguson has introduced laws to Parliament to ban criminal bikies wearing in public the colours or insignia of their clubs.
Mr Ferguson also vowed to introduce controversial “anticonsorting” laws before the end of the year to ban certain gang members from associating with each other — even in private.
The laws mirror those in mainland states. Mr Ferguson said they were required so Tasmania was not a “soft tar- get for criminals”. He assured social riding clubs that they would not be affected.
Criminal bikie gangs have a tradition of claiming they are just law-abiding clubs.
THE State Government expects to introduce anti-consorting laws as part of its crackdown on bikies by the end of the year, after moving to ban gang members from wearing club colours.
Police Minister Michael Ferguson yesterday introduced a Bill that will prohibit the display of proscribed gangs’ insignia.
“Tasmanians have a right to enjoy their state free from acts and threats of violence, intimidation and the scourge of drugs,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Police intelligence highlights a continuing and disturbing pattern of wellorganised crime which places our community, families and children at unacceptable risk.
“Nationally, addiction to ice has fuelled the spread of bikie gangs and international crime syndicates.
“Our state has been seen as a soft target for organised criminals as other states have already implemented similar legislation.”
Tasmania Police has also called for outlaw motorcycle gang members with serious criminal convictions to be banned from associating with each other — in public or private.
Police Association of Tasmania acting president Gavin Cashion said Mr Ferguson had told him the laws would be introduced in two phases.
“It’s no good having one without the other, they go hand-in-hand,” he said.
“Put your faith in police, we’ve learnt from the mistakes of the other states and made sure it’s better legislation, stronger legislation and can be rolled out smoothly.”
Assistant Commissioner Glenn Frame said Tasmania Police was devoted to having the strongest possible legislation to target organised criminals.
“We are pleased the State Government is strongly supportive of the consorting legislation and is committed to ensuring we have the strongest legislation possible to help prevent organised crime in our state,” he said.
The Hodgman Government will likely back the anticonsorting laws as part of its election promise to crack down on outlaw motorcycle gangs and the drug ice.
“The Government will continue to work on modernising Tasmania’s consorting offences, in line with similar provisions in other jurisdictions,” a State Government spokesman said.
“This effort is strongly recommended by Tasmania Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission as necessary steps to be able to deal with the scourge of ice, organised crime and horrific violence.
“It is anticipated that this matter will be bought to Parliament before the end of the year.”
Tasmania Police have long blamed bikies for the state’s ice problem and implicated gang members in several unsolved murders.
But civil liberties groups warn the Bill would impose sweeping restrictions on Tasmanians.
“It is a very big step indeed to allow police and parliament to ban the wearing of certain items of clothing,” Tasmanian Director of Civil Liberties Australia Richard Griggs said.
The group will write to Mr Ferguson asking what public consultation was taken into account and for advice from the Police Commissioner to be released.
The Bill will also face a stern test in the Legislative Council, with some Upper House members previously showing a reluctance to pass tough law and order measures.
Labor, which has four MLCs, said it would keep an open mind on the legislation.
“Any law changes must be backed by evidence,” opposition police spokesman Shane Broad said.
Outlaw motorcycle gangs the Bandidos, Black Uhlans, Devil’s Henchman, Outlaws and Rebels have all set up in Tasmania.
Tasmanians have a right to enjoy their state free from ... violence, intimidation and the scourge of drugs. MICHAEL FERGUSON It is a very big step indeed to allow police and parliament to ban the wearing of certain items of clothing. RICHARD GRIGGS