Australasian Biker News
Bikie gangs laws in force
Article from: AAP
June 08, 2008 11:51am
THE first of the South Australian Government's new laws to tackle outlaw
bikie gangs comes into force today.
The Act creates new charges, which carry up to 10 years' jail, for
members and associates of criminal gangs – particularly motorcycle gangs
– who engage in group violence.
“It's been difficult to secure convictions when bikies and their
associates have engaged in violent brawls with rival gangs,”
Attorney-General Michael Atkinson said.
“Victims – including other gang members – have refused to co-operate
with police.
”The only option has been to charge these criminals with minor offences
such as disorderly conduct which carries a maximum penalty of just three
months jail.”
The Public Order Offences Act creates the charges of riot, affray and
violent disorder, which apply when people threaten violence causing a
reasonable person fear in groups or as individuals.
The penalties range from a $10,000 fine or two years' jail up, to 10
years' jail for an aggravated riot offence.
“We're serious about eradicating bikie-related crime and the serious
funding we've committed underlines our desire to win this fight,” Mr
Atkinson said.
Nearly $14 million will be spent over the next four years enforcing
tough new laws and securing convictions.
This is the first of three new acts targeting outlaw bikies to come into
force, with the Serious and Organised Crime Act and the Firearms
Prohibition Act expected within months.