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Additional comments by the Liberal and Family First members of the
committee
The Liberal and Family First members of the Committee
believe that outlaw motorcycle gangs are serious criminal organisations and to
believe otherwise is a dangerous misconception. Outlaw motorcycle gangs are a
major player in serious and organised crime in Australia, particularly in the
illegal drug trade.
The Report’s recommendations do not directly target the
dismantling of organised crime gangs or criminal syndicates. The Liberal and
Family First members of the Committee strongly believe that anti-association
laws/and or laws specifically aimed at dismantling organised crime groups are a
crucial element of legislative arrangements to control organised crime groups involved
in serious and organised crime.
Internationally, laws targeting criminal associations have
been used with great effect:
-
In Italy, anti-association laws in conjunction with unexplained
wealth provisions have been pivotal in prosecuting major figures in the Mafia.
-
In the United States, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt
Organisations Act (RICO Act) has been used effectively to prosecute major
figures in organised crime, including the heads of the Gambino and Genovese
crime families and their known associates.
-
In Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police use laws targeting
specific offences for participating with a criminal organisation to control
outlaw motorcycle gangs, in particular the Hells Angels, which were very
effective.
-
In Hong Kong, anti-association laws were used with great effect
against the Triads.
The Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Act 2008 in
South Australia includes anti-association provisions, as does the Crime
(Criminal Organisations) Act 2009 in NSW, and the Queensland Government has
signalled its intention to implement similar anti-association laws.
Therefore, we strongly support national anti-association
laws that target known criminal associates involved in organised crime.
It is our view that both anti-association laws AND
unexplained wealth provisions are necessary in targeting serious and organised
crime.
Senator Sue Boyce
Senator
Steve Fielding
The Hon. Sussan Ley MP
Senator
Stephen Parry
Mr Jason Wood MP
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