Ministerial Statement

Criminal Organisations Legislation

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform) (14:02): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Following question time today, the state government will introduce legislation to declare 27 outlaw gangs as criminal organisations in South Australia. These laws and the proposed 27 outlaw gangs to be declared have been formulated on advice from SAPOL and will severely restrict the ability of these gangs to operate in our community.

The legislation includes new offences applying to gang members who recruit others to participate in the criminal organisation. It will also make it an offence for people to enter licensed premises wearing or carrying items of clothing or jewellery or an accessory displaying the name or symbol of a declared criminal organisation, such as club colours or clothing representing criminal gangs, or for people who fail to leave licensed premises when required.

The legislation also includes new offences, including offences that make it illegal for members of criminal organisations to be present in a public place with two or more other members of a criminal organisation. There is also a new offence prohibiting members of criminal organisations from entering a place or event that has been prescribed by regulations.

The gangs declared under this legislation are those with a presence in South Australia and those that operate in other states and territories. By declaring these gangs to be criminal organisations, they will be subject to a range of tougher provisions, making it easier for police and the courts to crack down on their activities.

The legislation also strengthens the state's consorting laws. Importantly, the legislation adopts organised crime offences and consorting laws that have been held valid by the High Court. This government will continue to work with SAPOL and other intelligence agencies to ensure we have the strongest regime to target outlaw gangs in the nation.