Labour looks at tough South Australian gang laws
Labour looks at tough South Australian gang laws
Labour leader Phil Goff has this week met with top South Australian police officers and political leaders to discuss tough new legislation in the state designed to disrupt organised criminal gangs.
Mr Goff says there is enormous enthusiasm for the new legislation which is about to be tested this month with an application now before the South Australian Attorney General to declare a key motorcycle gang a criminal organisation.
“If he decides the evidence justifies a declaration the courts will be asked to issue a ‘control order’. This would prevent contact between gang members or associates of criminal groups. Gang members could also be prevented from being in particular places or events and possessing weapons In addition there may be a presumption against bail for five years,” Phil Goff says.
Phil Goff is in South Australia on a study tour with Deputy Leader Annette King and Senior Opposition Whip Darren Hughes.
“The new South Australian legislation sets out unashamedly to make life as difficult as possible for gangs involved in crime,” Mr Goff says.
“While the gangs have employed expensive Queen’s Counsel to oppose the legislation and there has been some resistance to it from civil liberties groups, I believe taking a tough stance against organised criminal gangs is warranted,” Mr Goff says.
“In Australia, the gangs are at the core of organised crime, involved in blackmail, extortion, serious violence and drug trafficking. In New Zealand it is the same.
“In order for the gangs to become ‘declared’ (criminal organisations) under the legalisation, members must associate to organise, plan, support, facilitate or engage in serious criminal activity and the organisation must present ‘a risk to public safety and order’.
“Before the election I undertook to follow-up on how the South Australian legislation progressed and its effectiveness. If proven effective I believe similar legislation should be introduced in New Zealand,” he said.
“Police figures in New Zealand show that 75 percent of those caught trafficking in drugs are gang members and associates. The legislation is justified not by the simple fact that there are gangs, but by the purposes for which those gangs are created and the criminal activity they are involved in.
“Legislation currently before parliament introduced under the last Labour Government which facilitates confiscation of criminally acquired assets and doubles the penalties for being a member of a criminal gang should be given priority for passage.
“It makes sense to target legislation and resources at those individuals and groups who are at the core of serious criminal activity in New Zealand,” Phil Goff said.
