NSW Tattoo industry review: NSW Police to automatically refuse bikies, violent criminals
A new list of violent and serious offences could soon see offenders automatically refused from obtaining a NSW Tattoo Licence. SEE HOW YOU COULD BE IMPACTED HERE.
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Violent criminals and members of outlaw motorcycle gangs could soon have no way to obtain a tattoo licence in NSW, after a swathe of government recommendations called for them to be automatically banned from the industry.
The government review called for all groups police identity as members of prescribed outlaw motorcycle gangs to be automatically refused from holding a tattoo licence by NSW Police.
Meanwhile, police would also be able to instantly block anyone with specific “mandatory disqualifying offences” including firearms or weapons charges, drugs or serious violence, robberies, sexual offences, organised crime, money laundering, riot, extortion, blackmail or arson offences from obtaining a licence.
The NSW Government has imposed tough restrictions on tattoo licensing since parlour regulation was introduced in 2012, however, a lengthy review process conducted by NSW Police and Fair Trading of up to four years is currently required to clear someone for a licence.
“Feedback received from industry stakeholders suggests the joint administration has in part hampered the efficiency of the licencing process,” a government representative said.
If approved, the government recommendation would see NSW Police become the sole administrator of the scheme, with the review finding it was “well-placed to regulate the NSW tattoo industry”.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller would also have the power to prescribe outlaw gangs to the list of refused organisations, and a former bikie must have left the gang more than 12 months before an application can be submitted for a tattoo licence.
“A person may claim to have left a prescribed organisation in order to gain a licence under false pretences,” the government representative said in the review.
“The NSW Police Force would investigate any claim by an applicant that they have not been a member … prior to the submission of their application and assess any ongoing risk.”
Stakeholders including the Australian Tattooists’ Guild, The NSW Licences Tattooists and NSW Police raised concerns around processing times for determinations on applicants with serious offences.