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Criminal Law Western Australia Dob In A Bikie Day in Western Australia

Dob In A Bikie Day in Western Australia

Updated on May 29, 2015 3 min read 262 views Copy Link

Laura Turner

Published in May 29, 2015 Updated on May 29, 2015 3 min read 262 views

Dob In A Bikie Day in Western Australia

 

Bikie Laws in WA

On 20 May 2014, the Western Australia Police targeted outlawed motorcycle gangs by launching a state wide campaign for members of the public to call Crime Stoppers and anonymously dob in a bikie. The idea behind this campaign is for the police to gather intelligence on the operations of the motorbike gangs, that have been declared a criminal organisation, and to enforce any control orders in place that have resulted from the new bikie laws.

What are the new WA bikie laws?

The Criminal Organisations Control Act 2012 (‘the Act’) has finally been made in to Law coming fully into effect in Late 2013, almost a year after it was accented to by parliament. This legislation is what is referred to as the ‘anti-association laws’ or ‘anti-bikie laws’, which are aimed at disbanding Motorcycle Clubs throughout Western Australia. The law allows Police to apply to the courts to have a particular group declared a criminal organisation. If you are deemed to be a member of this ‘criminal organisation’ you can be convicted of a range of offences. This law is not designed to infringe on the general public being able to ride their motorbikes with their friends. Though some groups are concerned that it may affect the average person, and recently a protest at Parliament House was organised by the group Freedom Rights Australia, voicing their concerns about the potential impact of these laws.

What are some of the offences and penalties that can be imposed?

Once the police have been to the court and an organisation is deemed to be a ‘criminal organisation’, control orders are made to disrupt and restrict the activities of members and former members of the organisation (Sect 6 of the Act). As a result of these control orders, there are a range of offences that an associate can be charged with including associating with another member of the organisation which can attract a two year jail term (section 99 of the Act). Other offences and penalties are outlined in Part 4 of the Act and include: two years jail for breaching a control order; two years jail for anyone who allows their premises to be used by a criminal organisation; five years jail for participating in the activities of a criminal organisation; five years jail for recruiting a member for a declared criminal organisation; and 20 years jail for instructing an offence for the benefit of a criminal organisation. For more information, call our Go To Court Criminal Lawyers Western Australia.

Are the new laws an overreaction or breach of personal liberties?

The new bikie laws, not only in WA but throughout Australia, are extremely controversial with the QLD laws being taken to the High Court. Some people support the move to disband the clubs while others are concerned that the average person may suffer. The Western Australia Police state that there are more than 440 patched members and nominees in WA. This consists of 27 chapters and 28 clubhouses around the state.

Published in

May 29, 2015

Laura Turner

Senior Associate

Laura Turner holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts as well as a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. She is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Queensland. Laura began her legal experience through volunteering with the Student Legal Service offering free advice to students, and through a clerkship in the conveyancing team of a law firm in Hobart. She also volunteered at a Prisoner Legal Service, assisting inmates to obtain parole. Laura has a strong focus on family law, criminal and traffic law, although looks to broaden her knowledge into migration and civil law.
Home Criminal Law Western Australia Dob In A Bikie Day in Western Australia

Laura Turner

Senior Associate

Laura Turner holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts as well as a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. She is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Queensland. Laura began her legal experience through volunteering with the Student Legal Service offering free advice to students, and through a clerkship in the conveyancing team of a law firm in Hobart. She also volunteered at a Prisoner Legal Service, assisting inmates to obtain parole. Laura has a strong focus on family law, criminal and traffic law, although looks to broaden her knowledge into migration and civil law.

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