Crackdown on criminals continues as anti-consorting laws pass parliament

TOUGH new anti-consorting laws aimed at breaking up bikie gangs have passed through both houses of Tasmania’s Parliament.

Police Minister Michael Ferguson. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

TOUGH new anti-consorting laws aimed at breaking up bikie gangs have passed through both houses of Tasmania’s Parliament.

The changes to the Police Offences Act will mean convicted criminals who meet or communicate with another offender twice within five years can be thrown in prison for up to three years or fined almost $25,000 after receiving a written warning from police in the first instance.

Defences would include that the people were close relatives, that they were receiving an education or health care or they were working or engaged in business. The offender would have the right to appeal the warning.

Amendments to the Government’s original bill will expand the definition of family member to recognise Aboriginal kinship connections, strengthen the review process available to the alleged criminal and allow the Magistrates Court to order a stay of the decision while a review is ongoing.

The Legislative Council debated the legislation late into Wednesday night as many members agonised over the potential human rights impacts.

MLCs were briefed by Rebels motorcycle gang president Shaun Kelly, the Tasmanian Bar Association, the Australian Lawyers Alliance and Civil Liberties Australia.

Launceston independent MLC Rosemary Armitage admitted she found it a “confronting bill”.

But Windermere independent MLC Kerry Finch disputed that police would “run around willy-nilly because it’s a good thing to do” in response to concerns the laws could hurt innocent people.

“They don’t have the resources to waste time on something frivolous just because it’s something to do,” he said.

Police Minister Michael Ferguson welcomed the passing of the legislation on Thursday as a “big win for safety in Tasmania”.

“ … we are continuing to give police the tools they need to crack down on Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs and send a clear message that organised crime gangs are not welcome in Tasmania,” he said.

The State Government has also recently outlawed bikie logos.