Palaszczuk Government Organised Crime Laws Keeping Queensland Safe

The outlaw motorcycle gang, Satudarah, has been declared an ‘identified organisation’ in Queensland as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to combating organised crime.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette said today’s declaration was further proof that Queensland’s organised crime regime was the toughest and most effective in Australia.

“After consulting with the Queensland Police Service, Satudarah and its participants will now be restricted by our tighter laws which curtail their ability to intimidate and recruit,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“QPS has advised that the Dutch organisation has had a presence in Australia since 2015 and should be declared an identified organisation before it formally establishes a chapter and clubhouse in Queensland.

“There are now 27 entities, including Bandidos, The Finks, and the Rebels which have been declared as identified organisations,” Mrs D’Ath said.

Queensland’s tough organised crime regime is a result of the Palaszczuk Government’s Serious and Organised Crime Legislation Amendment Act 2016, which has been used to disrupt criminal networks; stop the wearing of outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) colours in public; shut down OMCG clubhouses and seize prohibited items; and charge criminals with serious organised crime offences.

 “Since the introduction of the Organised Crime Regime, we have successfully disrupted the illegal operation of identified organisations, keeping Queenslanders safe,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“Our laws have resulted in charges for 57 counts of drug trafficking with the Serious Organised Crime circumstance of aggravation.

“There have also been 12 convictions for the outlaw motorcycle gang colours offence, and one conviction for the consorting offence and 680 official warnings.

“These laws are being applied and are making a difference.”

Taskforce Maxima Officers recently used some of the regime’s new powers when they executed a warrant on premises that was operating as a clubhouse for the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. Prohibited items were seized and nine Public Safety Orders and official warnings for consorting were issued.

Detective Superintendent Roger Lowe from the QPS Organised Crime Gangs Group, State Crime Command, welcomed today’s declaration.

“The QPS welcomes the declaration of Satudarah and will apply the legislation to disrupt and prevent criminal activity by this gang,” he said.

“We will continue to work with our national and international partners to deter the expansion of Satudarah into Queensland.

“The legislation excluding Satudarah members from wearing their colours limits their ability to intimidate the community and recruit members,” Detective Superintendent Lowe said.

Today’s declaration under the Liquor Regulation 2002 activates the Serious and Organised Crime Legislation Amendment Act 2016 laws which include a consorting offence, Public Safety Orders, a serious organised crime circumstance of aggravation, Organised Crime Control Orders, the banning of the visible carrying or wearing of outlaw motor cycle gang ‘colours’ in all public places, offences and increased penalties for child sexual exploitation offending, sophisticated financial crimes and drug trafficking and enhancements to police powers.

A list of declared organisations’ logos can be found at http://business.qld.gov.au/liquor-gaming

Media: 0417 675 917