Arabic version: رئيس شرطة إقليم العاصمة الأسترالية يؤيد قوانين حظر المخالطة

According to ABC News, ACT Chief Police Officer Scott Lee is publicly backing anti-consorting laws as police step up efforts against outlaw motorcycle gangs in Canberra. Lee said there are five outlaw motorcycle gangs in the ACT, with about 45 members and approximately 20 associates, and that the number has grown in recent years.

For decades, the Rebels were the territory’s one established bikie gang, but since the early 2010s most Rebels have “patched over” to groups including the Bandidos, Hells Angels, Finks and Comancheros. Several groups now have ACT chapters or bases. Lee said Canberra’s growth and prosperity made it attractive for both investment and crime, while Associate Professor Mark Lauchs said gangs were increasing in Canberra because it was harder for them to operate elsewhere in Australia.

Lee said anti-consorting laws could disrupt overt associations and public gatherings, including national runs, but were not a cure-all because gangs continue to exist in every jurisdiction. Previous Labor-led ACT governments have resisted such laws on the grounds that they conflict with the ACT Human Rights Act. Lauchs said human-rights concerns had to be addressed, but argued that strong, well-targeted laws were now needed.

Police say gangs are active in illicit commodities including drugs, guns, weapons and extortion. Earlier this month, police arrested several ACT gang members alleged to have trafficked 70 kilograms of cocaine with an approximate street value of $10 million. Proposed ACT measures include expanded police powers to search for illegal firearms without a warrant and a ban on gang colours or patches; both remain to be debated in the Legislative Assembly. Sergeant Mark Alexander said police also relied on anonymous tips from the public as gangs adapted their tactics.