Page 3560 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 25 August 2009
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There is a lot that can be done. These issues have been implemented and are working effectively in other jurisdictions, and we would certainly welcome the government bringing forward the findings of the report, either as new legislation or amendments to existing laws. The AFPA, in its response to the report, has noted those issues and welcomes them. Indeed, they are very similar to the issues that were raised by the AFPA on 27 March in correspondence to me and the minister.
We will now wait to see what the government will do in terms of those elements of the report that we essentially agree on that we want to see now turned into effective legislation. My fear is that this report will now be stacked away to gather dust and that Mr Corbell will have his fanfare and move on to the next issue, feeling that he has appeased the people that want to see some appropriate laws to deal with organised crime in the territory.
I have tabled a question on notice—it appeared on last Thursday’s notice paper—that calls on the Attorney-General to outline the government’s agenda in response to this report. I call on you, minister, to outline to the Assembly what you will now do in terms of the items in the report that seem to have support of the authors and what you are going to do in terms of legislative changes in the ACT.
I will turn now, though, to areas where I believe the report is inadequate, where it does not meet the requirements of combating organised crime in the ACT, in particular, the issue of outlaw motorcycle gangs. In its conclusion, the report states:
The ACT, as a small jurisdiction … is unlikely to experience serious organised crime groups and activities to the degree and frequency of some of the other larger jurisdictions.
Notwithstanding this, careful consideration must be given to the adequacy of the Territory’s legislative response given its close proximity to NSW.
That is the nub of the issue that we were debating back in March and April in response to what occurred in New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. But, in particular, because we reside here in the ACT, surrounded by New South Wales, we have to be responsive to what happens there. We are not an island. We cannot pretend that what is happening in New South Wales will not have an effect on us. When Nathan Rees says he is going to drive the bikies out of New South Wales, we must consider where they are going to be driven to.
Allow me to quote from the view of the AFPA. In a letter to me the AFPA states:
The ACT is at risk of becoming an oasis for organised crime syndicates including, but not limited to, Outlaw Motor Cycle Gangs … if we fail to follow NSW’s lead to enact tougher & specific organised crime legislation …
The Australian Crime Commission has stated that OMCGs are one of the most visible groups in the organised crime landscape. Further, that they present a significant threat to law and order at a jurisdictional level and have national and
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