Police now have the power to target outlaw motorcycle gangs and disrupt their activities by banning them from associating with one another and wearing their patches.
The Criminal Law (Unlawful Consorting and Prohibited Insignia) Bill 2021 has passed through State Parliament, making Western Australia the toughest jurisdiction for offenders and criminal organisations like outlaw bikie gangs to operate or expand their criminal activities.
The laws will give police the power to prevent bikies from gathering in public places and wearing their patches or displaying insignia including club tattoos.
Under the new crackdown, police can issue an unlawful consorting notice on an offender, which bans them from associating with other offenders named in the notice for three years.
If the notice is breached two or more times, the offender could be charged and sentenced to a maximum of five years imprisonment.
The legislation has also named 46 bikie organisations from across Australia and prohibits the display of their insignia in a public place.
Police will be able to issue a notice requiring the removal or modification of insignia that is being displayed.
Officers will then have the power to remove or modify the insignia themselves if the person/persons do not comply.
Displaying prohibited insignia will attract a 12 month jail term and a fine of up to $12,000 for individuals and $60,000 for corporations.
The same penalties apply to bikies who refuse to abide by a dispersal notice which prohibits them from socialising with other bikies for seven days.
“This Government is serious about stopping organised crime and protecting the community from the intimidation and violence carried out by bikie gangs," Premier Mark McGowan said.
“We will not tolerate outlaw motorcycle gangs or any organised criminal activity in Western Australia.
“These new laws will hit bikie gangs hard, by taking away their ability to communicate or associate with each other.”
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