Outlaw motorcycle gang laws are now in force

Mark Shelton,Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management

The Hodgman majority Liberal Government makes no apologies for being tough on criminals and is delivering on our strong plan to keep Tasmania safer from organised crime.

Our laws banning the wearing of insignias of five outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCG) came into force today which gives Tasmania Police more tools to crack down on OMCGs.

This sends a clear message that crime gangs are not welcome in Tasmania.

The new laws relate to five OMCGs – Bandidos, Outlaws, Devils Henchmen, Black Uhlans and Rebels.

The legislation applies to an organisation that displays prohibited insignias that causes the public to feel intimidated and threatened.

Tasmania Police has also indicated that it will be closely monitoring a planned OMCG memorial run in Northern Tasmania on Saturday and that criminal and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

Unfortunately the soft-on-crime approach from Labor continues to confuse and disappoint the Tasmanian community.

Last year, Labor opposed the Government’s vital crack down on organised crime gangs that specialise in deadly illicit drugs, and only this week they have indicated they will again oppose our mandatory jail sentences for serious child sex offenders.

The Hodgman majority Liberal Government went to the last election with a plan to crack down on crime and boost police numbers to keep our communities safer, and we are delivering that plan.

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