Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs Law Reform
Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG’s) inhabit an active presence in all states and territories in Australia. Some members of these gangs are responsible for serious organised crime and yet the total gang and membership numbers of Australian OMCGs is rising.
According the Australian Crime Commission1. (ACC), Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs are among the most detectable components of Australia’s criminal landscapes and because unlike other criminal organisations who try and keep themselves anonymous, OMCGs on the other hang maintain websites, openly represent themselves through gang patches, tattoos, leather and publicly fight amongst themselves.
These gangs have two sides; one legitimate operation of business (transport, private security, entertainment and construction industries) and then the other in the production and distribution of illegal substances and activity such as vehicle rebirthing, serious assault, serious frauds, arson, high tech crime, organised theft, property and traffic offences, money laudering, drug and firearms trafficking and much more.
Fourty-four gangs in Australia are being of interest, with a total of 179 gangs and 4,480+ members in Australia2.. There is a string Pacific Islander and Middle Eastern presence in a number of these gangs and in some instances some gang members don’t even ride motorcycles.
Numbers of individuals and motorcycle gangs argue that motorcycle gangs are constantly being unfairly targeted. Mr Errol Gildea, President of the Hell’s Angels Motorycycle Club opposed suggestions that motorcycle gangs were involved in organised crimes and commented, “the club does not break the laws as a rule, if individuals do, that is their business. They should be dealt with. But we are not an organised crime outfit.” 3.
Gang members say they’ve noticed an increase in the public’s and police officer’s attitude towards them, and blame the government and media, who especially stereotypes and dehumanises them.
According the Australian Crime Commission1. (ACC), Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs are among the most detectable components of Australia’s criminal landscapes and because unlike other criminal organisations who try and keep themselves anonymous, OMCGs on the other hang maintain websites, openly represent themselves through gang patches, tattoos, leather and publicly fight amongst themselves.
These gangs have two sides; one legitimate operation of business (transport, private security, entertainment and construction industries) and then the other in the production and distribution of illegal substances and activity such as vehicle rebirthing, serious assault, serious frauds, arson, high tech crime, organised theft, property and traffic offences, money laudering, drug and firearms trafficking and much more.
Fourty-four gangs in Australia are being of interest, with a total of 179 gangs and 4,480+ members in Australia2.. There is a string Pacific Islander and Middle Eastern presence in a number of these gangs and in some instances some gang members don’t even ride motorcycles.
Numbers of individuals and motorcycle gangs argue that motorcycle gangs are constantly being unfairly targeted. Mr Errol Gildea, President of the Hell’s Angels Motorycycle Club opposed suggestions that motorcycle gangs were involved in organised crimes and commented, “the club does not break the laws as a rule, if individuals do, that is their business. They should be dealt with. But we are not an organised crime outfit.” 3.
Gang members say they’ve noticed an increase in the public’s and police officer’s attitude towards them, and blame the government and media, who especially stereotypes and dehumanises them.