Responses to Outlaw motorcycle gangs

Outlaw Motor Cycle Gangs (OMCGs) are one of the most high profile exhibitions of organised crime that have encapsulated a threat to the community in all Australian states and Territories as the Motor Cycle gangs participate in increasing various activities ranging from social nuisance in residential communities through to their involvement in some of the most significant criminal associations in Australia this then imposes issues for the community. Some OMCGs members have expanded their skill sets and have become more involved in serious frauds such as money laundering, extortion, manufacturing and distribution of illicit drugs and possession of prohibited firearms/weapons in which all captivate the attention of non-government organisations and law enforcement bodies and legislators. The Australian Crime Commission has issued a warning that organised crime by outlaw motorcycle gangs is putting innocent Australians at growing risk of getting caught up in the crossfire of guns and drug crimes.

The bashing death of Anthony Zervas on 22 March 2009 by bikie members from Hells Angels from Melbourne has created community concern about the depth and degree of bikie gang violence. This attracted attention of NSW government parliamentary bodies and have responded to this issue. Following the incident, on 2 April 2009, the NSW Premier introduced the Crimes (Criminal Organisations Control) Bill 2009, which commenced on assent on 3 April 2009 as Crimes organisation legislation amendments Act 2009, making it the first Australian Jurisdiction to legislate specific offences against criminal organisations. The intention of this legislation was to decrease criminal activities associated with outlaw motorcycle gangs across NSW.

The NSW government has also introduced the ‘Strike Force Raptor’ which gives authoritarian powers to law enforcement agencies to prevent, investigate and disrupt any activities OMCGs may be involved with. This task force is a legal method of dealing