New laws target organised crime and motorcycle gangs

The state government says it will introduce some of the toughest laws in Australia to clamp down on violence and misbehaviour as part of its crackdown on organised crime and motorcycle gangs.

According to the government, the Criminal Organisations (Council) Bill 2024 has been introduced to parliament. There are new and improved laws that strengthen Victoria’s Unlawful Associations regime, introduce a new Serious Crime Prevention Order and ban the public display of gang colours.

As part of the changes, members of certain organised crime groups will be banned from state government premises, ensuring that these locations are free from the influence of criminal gangs and groups.

This complements the work the federal government is doing to eradicate the rotten culture that has been exposed in the construction industry.

The tougher anti-unlawful association regime will give Victoria Police more powers to stop criminals from associating with each other and to discourage other people from joining them in a criminal network.

The threshold for issuing fines for unlawful association is lowered, so that the police can issue them more easily and in a wider range of circumstances. Violation of an order can result in a penalty of up to three years in prison.

The independent, broad-based anti-corruption commission will be given new responsibilities to monitor, oversee and report on the programme’s performance.

A new Serious Crime Prevention Scheme (SCPO) will also come into effect, allowing the Chief Commissioner of Police to apply to the court to impose a wide range of conditions on someone who has taken part in serious criminal activity or is likely to assist another person to engage in serious criminal behaviour.

The SCPO program is designed to restrict the activities of leaders of organised crime groups. For example, an SCPO may include a ban on the person leaving Victoria or being unable to possess firearms or certain amounts of cash.

Members of outlaw motorcycle gangs wear and display their colors, such as patches, logos or other insignia, to represent their gang affiliation, intimidate others, and attract and recruit new members. The bill would ban the public display of insignia of certain criminal groups, including wearing them on clothing or jewelry and displaying them on signs, flags or vehicles.

Organised crime and rogue behaviour have no place in Victoria, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes says.