The passing of the Police Offences Amendment (Prohibited Insignia) Bill 2018 this morning in the Upper House is a big win for safety in Tasmania.
We took this legislation to the election as the first part of our strong plan to keep the community safe from organised crime.
The amended Bill was passed in the Legislative Council and the amendments will be debated in the House of Assembly before it rises today.
The amendments supported in the Legislative Council fully retain the original intent of the Bill and do not give any more power to outlaw gangs to try to stop or slow down being listed. We thank the Legislative Council members who I engaged with intensely and constructively to ensure there will be stronger community protection against organised crime.
But I condemn the shameful politics of Labor, who voted against the Bill again, including with the amendments from Legislative Councillors.
Labor has now sided with the bikies and their criminal defence lawyers, not once, but twice – in the House of Assembly and the Legislative Council where all four of them combined to vote against the Bill and almost successfully stopped it.
Not only has Labor confirmed they are soft on crime, but the record now shows they would put political games ahead of public safety.
The Hodgman Liberal Government has a tough-on-crime approach, and this legislation will give police the tools they need to crack down on Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, as well as send a clear message that organised crime gangs are not welcome in Tasmania.
We will also be debating amendments to the Police Powers (Surveillance Devices) Act 2006 and the Listening Devices Act 1991 today to support the use of body-worn cameras by Tasmania Police.
We have committed $3.4 million over four years to provide cameras to all frontline officers, aimed at improving the safety of our officers and the community.
The Tasmanian Government is committed to supporting Tasmania Police and keeping Tasmanians safe.
More Media Releases from Michael Ferguson
More Media Releases from the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management