New laws target organized crime and biker gangs

The state government says it will introduce some of Australia's toughest laws to curb violence and bad behaviour as part of its crackdown on organised crime and motorcycle gangs.

Under the Control of Criminal Organisations Amendment Bill 2024, introduced into Parliament on August 28, new and improved laws will strengthen Victoria's system for combating illegal associations, introduce a new Serious Crime Prevention Order and ban the public display of gang colours, the government said.

The changes will ban members of certain organized crime groups from entering government workplaces to ensure that these sites remain free from the influence of outlaw gangs and criminal groups.

This is intended to complement the work of the Federal Government aimed at putting an end to the corrupt culture uncovered in the construction industry.

The enhanced Unlawful Associations Program will strengthen Victoria Police's ability to stop criminals from working together and to deter other people from joining them and forming criminal networks.

The bar for issuing notices for unlawful association offences will be lowered to allow police to issue them more easily and in a wider range of circumstances. Violation of the orders can result in up to three years in prison.

The independent, broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission will be given new tasks with regard to monitoring, controlling and reporting on the functioning of the system.

A new Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) system will also come into force. This will enable the Chief Constable to apply to the court to impose a wide range of conditions on someone who has been involved in serious crime or is likely to assist another person to commit serious crime.

The SCPO program aims to restrict the activities of leaders of organised crime groups. For example, an SCPO could include prohibiting the person from leaving Victoria or from possessing firearms or certain amounts of cash.

Members of criminal motorcycle gangs wear and display their colors, such as patches, logos or other insignia, to denote their gang membership, intimidate others, and attract and recruit new members. The bill will prohibit the public display of certain criminal groups' insignias, including wearing them on clothing or jewelry and displaying them on signs, flags or vehicles.

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said there was no place for organised crime and brutal behaviour in Victoria.