Tasmania Police say bikies are not singled out by new consorting legislation

SCOTT TILYARD: Greg Barns’ views about the new consorting legislation aimed at criminal groups are disappointing and ill-informed.

Members of the Bandidos' motorcycle gang in Burnie last year.

GREG Barns’s views about the new consorting legislation aimed at criminal groups (Talking Point, Mercury, October 1) are disappointing and ill-informed.

We have said all along that, without specific legislation to target criminal groups, Tasmania is at risk of becoming a safe haven for criminal groups, including outlaw motorcycle gangs.

There will not be any impact on average, law-abiding members of our community.

All other Australian states have implemented strong laws to protect the community from outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Importantly, there are more safeguards in the Tasmanian legislation than any other police jurisdiction in the country.

Under the new Tasmanian laws, an offence is not committed unless an individual is found to be consorting on at least two occasions after receiving a warning notice. In other words, they get at least two chances after having been officially warned. This means that a relatively small number of serious offenders are likely to be impacted.

I also dispute Mr Barns’s claim that police regularly abuse their powers. It’s disappointing that he questions the hard-working Tasmania Police members who provide support to those in the community who need it most.

If Mr Barns has any real evidence of police abusing their powers, he should contact the Integrity Commission.

GREG BARNS: BIKIES CONSORTING BAN OPEN TO ABUSE

Scott Tilyard. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Greg Barns. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Tasmania Police has an outstanding record in working with groups, including unions and environmental groups, that wish to protest. This even included the protests by outlaw motorcycle gangs in the lead-up to the “colours’’ legislation being debated by Parliament.

The intent of the new legislation is on preventing individuals, who have already been convicted of serious offences, from collaborating to further their crime networks and illicit activities.

This includes — but is not limited to — outlaw motorcycle gangs.

That’s why outlaw motorcycle gangs aren’t specifically named in the legislation. A simple read of the legislation shows that the intention of the new law is to capture those engaging in criminal conduct, not the general public.

Family members will still be able to maintain relationships, and it won’t prohibit people from working.

Ultimately, a court can decide whether a consorting prohibition should be granted.

Consorting legislation provides police with a tool to further interrupt the activities of organised criminals, making it harder for them to be part of organised gangs and commit further crime.

It’s about making our community safer for those 99 per cent of the population who are law-abiding citizens.

Mr Barns should stop scaremongering and follow his own advice and “watch how this law works”.

Alternatively, Mr Barns is welcome to have a briefing with Tasmania Police so he can be fully informed about the new laws.

Scott Tilyard is Tasmania’s Acting Commissioner for Police.