Consorting laws hitting organised crime

Published Thursday, 11 May, 2017 at 10:09 AM

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services
The Honourable Mark Ryan

The Palaszczuk Government together with the Queensland Police Service continue its tough stance against serious and organised crime networks following the introduction of Consorting Laws in Queensland.

Minister for Police Mark Ryan said the stronger and tougher laws targeting serious organised crime in Queensland are getting real results.

“Since the commencement of the legislation in December 2016, nine offenders have been charged with possession of prohibited item in a public place and 107 consorting warnings have been issued since March 2017,” Minister Ryan said.

“Over the past week, officers from Taskforce Maxima have conducted a range of OMCG related enforcement activities in conjunction with regional police. This has included the issuing of official warning notices under the new consorting legislation.

“Officers have attended the homes of members of the Rebels and Bandido’s OMCGs in Townsville and Cairns and issued a total of 29 consorting notices which means organised crime members are being disrupted from communicating or associating with each other.”

Minister Ryan said the Palaszczuk Government introduced the Consorting Laws as part of the Serious and Organised Crime Legislation Amendment Act which are designed to target those criminal gangs who engage in serious crimes including dangerous drugs, firearms, child exploitation and fraud.

“Police have advised that as a result of these tough laws Taskforce Maxima officers and regional police see the legislation as an effective means of disrupting criminal networks and are utilising the consorting legislation to target local OMCGs and organised crime offenders.”

Acting Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the extra legislative tools to combat and disrupt organised crime and OMCGs are being applied by regional police and Taskforce Maxima officers across Queensland.

“We make no apologies for this tough stance and we will continue to target those offenders and associates that are causing harm to our community,” Acting Commissioner Gollschewski said.

“This is certainly a positive step towards targeting anyone who engages in criminal activity within these syndicates, including those who have chosen to previously distance themselves from offences.

“The recipients of these notices should consider it a warning the QPS has you in its sights and should you fail to comply then action will be taken.”

ENDS

 

Media contacts

Minister Ryan’s Office:                                                                  Ph: (07) 3035 8300