Legislation to prevent bikies and members of organised crime groups gathering at Victorian worksites has been introduced into the state’s parliament.
The proposed Criminal Organisations Control Amendment Bill will prohibit members of criminal organisations from entering government worksites.
The bill would also crack down on the public wearing of club insignia, including badges, patches, emblems, clothing, jewellery, or any signage.
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said police would be monitoring the situation once the laws came into effect.
“Many members of outlaw motorcycle gangs don’t make it secret that they’re a member of such an organisation,” Symes told reporters.
“Police, in addition to obvious examples of membership, have detailed intelligence of who these people are.
“Police will be able to charge people if they are a current member of a proscribed criminal organisation if they enter a Victorian worksite.”
Other elements of the bill would prevent organised crime members from gathering, under the threat of up to three years in prison.
People deemed to be involved in organised crime could also be denied firearms access and specific amounts of cash, as well as blocked from leaving the state.
Symes said the new rules got rid of gaps in existing legislation.
“We have very much narrowed the exceptions so that they can’t be used as loopholes for people to come together and fraternise and discuss criminal activities,” she said.
Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines said the legislation would allow for greater police powers.
“We’ve seen what works in other states but now we can go further to give Victoria Police the most contemporary powers in the nation to tackle organised crime,” he said.
State Opposition Leader John Pesutto expressed concern the laws, saying it did not deal with root issues.
He cited official parliamentary reports that showed minimal use of warnings or official cautions.
But Carbines said the laws would be brought into effect as needed.
“Organised crime groups and bikie gangs are on notice—we won’t stand for intimidation and neither will Victoria Police, who won’t hesitate to use these new laws to keep Victorians safe,” he said.
The government says the laws will stamp out the influence of organised crime gangs on worksites.
“This will complement work being done by the federal government to stamp out rotten culture that has been exposed in the construction industry,” Symes said.
