The Australian Federal Police Association strongly supports the ACT Government’s move to ban the public display of outlaw motorcycle gang insignia, describing it as a long overdue reform that puts community safety ahead of criminal intimidation.
Outlaw motorcycle gang colours and insignia are not harmless symbols. They are used to project strength, claim territory, intimidate the public and reinforce association with organised criminal groups. The AFPA believes there is no place for them in public in the ACT.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said the ACT Government’s decision sends the right message.
“This is a strong, sensible move and the AFPA supports it 100 per cent. Bikie gang insignia is not about fashion or freedom of expression. It is about intimidation, identity and control.
“These symbols are worn to be seen. They are meant to send a message to rivals, the public, and the police. That message is rooted in fear and organised criminality,” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA believes law-abiding Canberrans should not have to encounter visible symbols of organised criminal groups in everyday public settings.
Mr Caruana said this legislation sends a clear message that the open display of outlaw motorcycle gang insignia has no place in Canberra’s public spaces.
“There is no place for outlaw motorcycle gangs to attend sites of national and civic significance in large numbers while openly displaying their insignia.
“These groups should not be able to turn up in masse at places of significance, such as Parliament House or Defence sites, displaying their insignia as a form of marketing and intimidation. That kind of conduct is designed to build profile, send a message and normalise the presence of organised criminal groups in places where it is plainly inappropriate,” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA thanked Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson and ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne for listening to the Association’s reform proposal.
Mr Caruana said the AFPA had raised a genuine operational and community safety concern, and the ACT Government, particularly Minister Paterson and Attorney-General Cheyne, responded positively after undertaking its own due diligence.
“The proposed ban is a practical step that will help reduce the public visibility and social acceptance of outlaw motorcycle gangs in the Territory. These groups rely on presence, profile and intimidation.Stripping away their ability to openly display their insignia in public is important.
“It also makes recruitment harder. It reduces their ability to dominate public settings, and it sends a message that the ACT will not give organised crime a free pass,” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA acknowledges that questions may arise about human rights compliance as the legislation is developed and debated, but is confident that these issues can be carefully considered and addressed without losing sight of the need for reform.
The AFPA looks forward to continuing to work constructively with the ACT Government to ensure the legislation is strong, workable and effective as it progresses.
Media Contact
AFPA Media and Government Relations Manager Troy Roberts, (02) 6285 1677, troy.r@afpa.org.a
The Australian Federal Police Association strongly supports the ACT Government’s move to ban the public display of outlaw motorcycle gang insignia, describing it as a long overdue reform that puts community safety ahead of criminal intimidation.
Outlaw motorcycle gang colours and insignia are not harmless symbols. They are used to project strength, claim territory, intimidate the public and reinforce association with organised criminal groups. The AFPA believes there is no place for them in public in the ACT.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said the ACT Government’s decision sends the right message.
“This is a strong, sensible move and the AFPA supports it 100 per cent. Bikie gang insignia is not about fashion or freedom of expression. It is about intimidation, identity and control.
“These symbols are worn to be seen. They are meant to send a message to rivals, the public, and the police. That message is rooted in fear and organised criminality,” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA believes law-abiding Canberrans should not have to encounter visible symbols of organised criminal groups in everyday public settings.
Mr Caruana said this legislation sends a clear message that the open display of outlaw motorcycle gang insignia has no place in Canberra’s public spaces.
“There is no place for outlaw motorcycle gangs to attend sites of national and civic significance in large numbers while openly displaying their insignia.
“These groups should not be able to turn up in masse at places of significance, such as Parliament House or Defence sites, displaying their insignia as a form of marketing and intimidation. That kind of conduct is designed to build profile, send a message and normalise the presence of organised criminal groups in places where it is plainly inappropriate,” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA thanked Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson and ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne for listening to the Association’s reform proposal.
Mr Caruana said the AFPA had raised a genuine operational and community safety concern, and the ACT Government, particularly Minister Paterson and Attorney-General Cheyne, responded positively after undertaking its own due diligence.
“The proposed ban is a practical step that will help reduce the public visibility and social acceptance of outlaw motorcycle gangs in the Territory. These groups rely on presence, profile and intimidation.Stripping away their ability to openly display their insignia in public is important.
“It also makes recruitment harder. It reduces their ability to dominate public settings, and it sends a message that the ACT will not give organised crime a free pass,” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA acknowledges that questions may arise about human rights compliance as the legislation is developed and debated, but is confident that these issues can be carefully considered and addressed without losing sight of the need for reform.
The AFPA looks forward to continuing to work constructively with the ACT Government to ensure the legislation is strong, workable and effective as it progresses.
Media Contact
AFPA Media and Government Relations Manager Troy Roberts, (02) 6285 1677, troy.r@afpa.org.a
