The Northern Territory will introduce tough new laws to prevent illegal bike gangs pushed out of other areas, ending up in the Territory.

 

Attorney-General Delia Lawrie said the Northern Territory Government will this week start consultation about its draft legislation to deal with illegal bike gangs.

 

“There are concerns throughout Australia about illegal bikie gangs – the NT needs to be part of a national approach,” Attorney-General Delia Lawrie said.

 

“We’ve been working on this legislation from some months to get it right – and we look forward to the feedback of stakeholders.

 

“The safety of the community is a top priority of this Government – and we don’t want criminal gangs fleeing other states and coming here.

 

“This Government has led the way on this issue - South Australia’s illegal bikie gang laws are based on anti-consorting laws we developed and introduced (as part of the anti-gangs package) in the Territory in 2006.”

 

Our draft legislation includes:

 

·        Declaration process to proscribe certain gangs

 

·        Place and membership restrictions

 

·        Public safety orders (banning certain people from areas for a set period of time)

 

·        Reform of witness intimidation laws

 

·        Criminal property forfeiture reforms

 

·        Streamlined court orders to dismantle gang clubroom fortifications.

 

 

The legislation will be introduced to Parliament as soon as possible.

 

Tough bikie laws are also on the agenda for the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General meeting to be held in two weeks.

 

Media Contact: Katie Woolf 0420 972 505