NSW: Bikie recruitment laws pass NSW Parliament
13 May 2009 10:29 PM
SYDNEY, May 13 AAP - New laws which can imprison anyone caught recruiting members to a bikie gang have been passed by the NSW Parliament, in the government's latest moves against the outlaw groups.
Under the laws, passed by parliament on Wednesday night, those caught recruiting members to a bikie gang once it has been declared a criminal organisation could face up to five years jail.
The measure is part of a second raft of laws aimed at the gangs in the wake of spiralling violence throughout Sydney.
The crackdown on bikie gangs follows a brawl at Sydney airport in March between the Hells Angels and Comanchero gangs which resulted in one man's death.
Legislation was introduced last month allowing police to apply to the Supreme Court to have bikie gangs become declared criminal organisations.
However, police have not yet made any such application.
The second round of legislation would make it difficult for bikie gangs to recruit new members, NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos said.
"Criminal organisations use feeder groups, which are usually made up of younger members, to replenish and renew their ranks," Mr Hatzistergos said in a statement.
"This new offence will make it more difficult for declared criminal organisations to recruit new members.
"These new laws build on the legislation we have already passed and go further toward our aim of dismantling bikie gangs."
The laws passed by parliament on Wednesday will also allow police to make a public notice when placing a control order on an individual of a declared gang.
This will be used when other means of serving the order have been unsuccessful, Mr Hatzistergos said.
