Published Friday, 23 November, 2007 at 09:37 AM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
OUTLAW BIKIE GANGS NOT WELCOME IN QLD: SPENCE
Police Minister Judy Spence said the Queensland Government will consider proposals put forward by the South Australian government to tackle the problem of Outlaw Bikie Gangs in Australia.
Ms Spence said the legislative changes were discussed at yesterday’s high powered law and order council meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand consisting of Police Ministers and their representatives from across Australia, the Commonwealth and New Zealand, would be assessed and reviewed for consideration in Queensland.
“As a member of the Australasian Police Ministers' Council I have supported recommendations for each jurisdiction to adopt as a ‘minimum standard’ legislative provision to assist in the dismantling and disruption of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs organised crime,” Ms Spence said.
“I also supported the recommendation for a review by the Ministerial Council for Corporations (MINCO), of the existing restrictions placed upon directors of companies to identify opportunities to prevent organised criminals from managing corporations.
“As these Outlaw Bikie Gangs are not restricted by state or even international borders, it is essential we take a nationwide approach to cracking down on these criminal thugs.
“We have always considered any proposals put forward by our interstate counterparts on this issue, and we will watch closely the application of new laws in South Australia, to see if they might be an appropriate measure to introduce in Queensland.”
Ms Spence said the proposal by South Australia to ban particular Outlaw Bikie Gangs posed some challenges, and would be need to have certain safeguards in place.
“We have already voted against legislation by the Queensland Opposition, that proposed making it an offence to be a member of an organised crime gang generally, as there was a lack of clarification around what constitutes a prescribed gang.
“We want to be sure the South Australian legislation is effective and has appropriate safeguards, before we consider such measures for Queensland.
“We have shown we are serious about tackling Outlaw Bikie Gangs and our initiative to provide $2 Million last year to set up a Queensland Police Service Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Task Force has been widely praised by other states.”
“Police in Queensland have a great record of targeting Outlaw Bikie Gangs on our roads and in their club houses, with recent raids resulting in large numbers of arrests and huge seizures of drugs, weapons and money,” Ms Spence said.
“In the past 11 months, our Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Task Force has conducted over 25 operations – resulting in the arrest of 113 offenders, on 342 charges including trafficking, production and possession of dangerous drugs. Further joint operations have resulted in the arrests of 71 offenders on 212 charges.
“Police have made it clear, if these gangs attempt to operate in our state we will be watching them every step of the way, cracking down on any illegal activity.”
Ms Spence said the Bligh Government continues to push for the introduction of telephone intercept powers, so long as there is a role for the public interest monitor.
“We have long been lobbying the Howard government, to allow for a role for the Public Interest Monitor, to ensure the use of telephone intercepts is accountable in Queensland,” Ms Spence said.
“Queensland Police will continue to work with police around the country, to ensure we do everything we can to rid our society of these criminal gangs.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287
Ms Spence said the legislative changes were discussed at yesterday’s high powered law and order council meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand consisting of Police Ministers and their representatives from across Australia, the Commonwealth and New Zealand, would be assessed and reviewed for consideration in Queensland.
“As a member of the Australasian Police Ministers' Council I have supported recommendations for each jurisdiction to adopt as a ‘minimum standard’ legislative provision to assist in the dismantling and disruption of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs organised crime,” Ms Spence said.
“I also supported the recommendation for a review by the Ministerial Council for Corporations (MINCO), of the existing restrictions placed upon directors of companies to identify opportunities to prevent organised criminals from managing corporations.
“As these Outlaw Bikie Gangs are not restricted by state or even international borders, it is essential we take a nationwide approach to cracking down on these criminal thugs.
“We have always considered any proposals put forward by our interstate counterparts on this issue, and we will watch closely the application of new laws in South Australia, to see if they might be an appropriate measure to introduce in Queensland.”
Ms Spence said the proposal by South Australia to ban particular Outlaw Bikie Gangs posed some challenges, and would be need to have certain safeguards in place.
“We have already voted against legislation by the Queensland Opposition, that proposed making it an offence to be a member of an organised crime gang generally, as there was a lack of clarification around what constitutes a prescribed gang.
“We want to be sure the South Australian legislation is effective and has appropriate safeguards, before we consider such measures for Queensland.
“We have shown we are serious about tackling Outlaw Bikie Gangs and our initiative to provide $2 Million last year to set up a Queensland Police Service Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Task Force has been widely praised by other states.”
“Police in Queensland have a great record of targeting Outlaw Bikie Gangs on our roads and in their club houses, with recent raids resulting in large numbers of arrests and huge seizures of drugs, weapons and money,” Ms Spence said.
“In the past 11 months, our Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Task Force has conducted over 25 operations – resulting in the arrest of 113 offenders, on 342 charges including trafficking, production and possession of dangerous drugs. Further joint operations have resulted in the arrests of 71 offenders on 212 charges.
“Police have made it clear, if these gangs attempt to operate in our state we will be watching them every step of the way, cracking down on any illegal activity.”
Ms Spence said the Bligh Government continues to push for the introduction of telephone intercept powers, so long as there is a role for the public interest monitor.
“We have long been lobbying the Howard government, to allow for a role for the Public Interest Monitor, to ensure the use of telephone intercepts is accountable in Queensland,” Ms Spence said.
“Queensland Police will continue to work with police around the country, to ensure we do everything we can to rid our society of these criminal gangs.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287