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Hoons, bikies 'won't be tolerated'
By Nigel Adlam
December 21, 2006 12:00am
Article from: Northern Territory News
THE Territory's new anti-gang laws came into force yesterday.
Chief Minister Clare Martin said there was "emerging gang activity"
across the NT. "It won't be tolerated," she said.
The laws are aimed at juvenile gangs in Darwin's northern suburbs,
indigenous clan feuds and outlaw bikies involved in the drug trade.
The Justice Legislation Amendment (Group Criminal Activities) Act
has three new legal features:
LOITERING: Targeted at youth gangs. An expanded interpretation will
give police the power to issue notices to juveniles to stay away
from an area for up to 72 hours;
VIOLENT DISORDER: Aimed at warring indigenous clan groups such as
those at Wadeye and Willowra; and
CONSORTING: This is to stop organised gang members such as bikies
contacting each other after serving sentences for serious crimes.
Darwin members of the Hells Angels told the Northern Territory News
yesterday that the laws against street gangs were a smokescreen to
cover an all-out war on them by police.
But Police Minister Chris Burns said the crackdown was aimed at all
gangs.
"I don't care if they ride motorbikes or drive Porsches," he said.
CLP Deputy Leader Terry Mills said the new measures were covered by
existing legislation.
Three laws have also been amended to:
TOUGHEN bail and sentencing conditions to prevent defendants and
offenders from associating with other suspected gang members or
being in certain areas; and
REQUIRE courts to take into account when sentencing an offender's
impact on the community.
