New laws to combat Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

Tasmanians have a right to enjoy their State free from acts and threats of violence, intimidation and the scourge of drugs.
Today, the Hodgman Liberal Government is delivering on its commitment to introduce new laws to ban the wearing of ‘colours’ by Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs within the first 100 days of Government.
The Police Offences Amendment (Prohibited Insignia) Bill 2018 will prohibit the display of insignia that promotes criminal associations and causes fear in the community.
Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs are well organised, well-resourced and increasingly sophisticated in how they structure and execute their criminal activities.
These gangs are resilient and opportunistic and are involved in a wide range of serious crime, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, extortion, firearms and drugs offences and high level violence.
Police intelligence highlights a continuing and disturbing pattern of well organised crime which places our community, families and children at unacceptable risk.
Nationally, addiction to ice has fuelled the spread of bikie gangs and international crime syndicates. Ice is linked to family violence, increases in crime and it places an immense amount of pressure on our emergency service providers.
Our State has been seen as a soft target for organised criminals as other states have already implemented similar legislation.
This legislation has been developed after a detailed period of public consultation and importantly, does not affect law abiding, social riding clubs. The fact is, social riding clubs and law abiding motorcycle groups make up the vast majority of riders and will also benefit from a safer Tasmania.
The Government does not apologise for our tough on crime approach and is committed to ensuring Tasmania Police have adequate tools to deal with organised crime.
Michael Ferguson, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management