Outlaw bikie gangs: Victorian premier calls for national approach on organised crime
Posted
A national response to curb the activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs is needed, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says, rather than the "patchwork quilt" response to organised crime caused by different state policies.
A national anti-bikie gang taskforce has been operating since September, which includes officers from all state and territory police agencies, the Australian Crime Commission, and the Australian Federal Police.
However, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia have introduced their own anti-consorting and control laws, while Victoria has brought in anti-fortification laws.
In 2013, the Victorian Coalition government also amended laws to it easier for police to apply to have bikie gangs declared criminal organisations in the state.
But Mr Andrews said state laws needed to become more unified.
"We need to have a much better national approach," he said.
"Many of these crime outfits, they don't respect state borders, they don't respect anything.
"The last thing we can do is have patchwork quilt, different arrangements in different states.
"A more consistent, national approach - that's how we'll fight crime and keep Victorians safe and keep Australia safe.
"I think that's common sense."
The secretary of the Victorian Police Association Ron Iddles has previously called current Victorian legislation "clunky and hard to operate".
Mr Andrews said the Government would work closely with Victoria Police to curb the activity of outlaw motorcycle gangs and could play a vital role in working with other states.
"I think Victoria can play a leading role in driving that national policy response, looking at this as one nation, one country, not simply looking at it as individual states," he said.
