Operation Ranmore

Ms DIANE BEAMER: My question without notice is addressed to the Minister for Police. Can the Minister update the House on the success of the first year of Operation Ranmore, which targets the criminal activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs?

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: I am pleased to advise the House that the first year of Operation Ranmore has been successful. Operation Ranmore police attached to the Gangs Squad have made significant progress in the fight against outlaw motorcycle gangs. In this its first year, Operation Ranmore has made 539 arrests and preferred a total of 1,292 charges. Offences for which charges have been brought include: assault, drug supply and possession, firearms and weapon offences, and fraud, among others. The New South Wales community is glad that these people are off the streets, as I am sure are all members of this House.

I am pleased also to say that members of outlaw motorcycle gangs are feeling the brunt of the new gang offences, which the Iemma Government brought before Parliament in 2006. Charges have been preferred in relation to 163 offences under that legislation, including participating in criminal groups to assist criminal activity, such as assaults, damage and destruction to property, and assaulting law enforcement officers. It also includes offences for recruiting a person or a child to carry out criminal activity. The Iemma Government has introduced tough gang laws, and 16 people have been convicted of 23 anti-gang related offences. In referring to some of those offences, particularly assault offences, I am not sure whether the member for Burrinjuck, during her travels in 2004-05 to England, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy and South Korea to study world peace, as quoted in the Daily Telegraph of 6 October 2005, learnt anything about outlaw motorcycle gangs and their impact on world peace.

Operation Ranmore is taking drugs and illegal firearms out of the hands of these gang members and off our streets. In March this year the Gangs Squad executed a search warrant on the property of a member of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang, who was involved in the manufacture of amphetamines. Police found and seized a disassembled laboratory, five rifles, one pistol, a large quantity of ammunition, two tasers, stolen motor vehicles and cash. They seized also a large quantity of precursor chemical, which could have been used to manufacture over $2 million worth of amphetamines. The investigation into this offender continues. Operation Ranmore police have seized 24 firearms, including 9 semiautomatics, 2 revolvers, 12 rifles and 1 shotgun.

Outlaw motorcycle gangs are using their clubhouses as unlicensed venues. By this I mean they are selling alcohol at their clubhouses without a licence to attract members and associates and generate profits to use in other illegal activities. Operation Ranmore police continue to raid the clubhouses of outlaw motorcycle gangs and seize that liquor and the proceeds of its sale, along with any illegal drugs and weapons they find there. Just recently, as part of Operation Ranmore, police attached to Blacktown Local Area Command, with assistance from the Gangs Squad, Riot Squad, Bomb Squad and Dog Unit, raided the local clubhouse of the Bandidos, seizing thousands of dollars worth of liquor, as well as a semiautomatic pistol, ammunition, knuckledusters, and cash. Operation Ranmore is yet another example of our police getting out and getting the job done, backed by a Government that has given them tough powers and great resources. I take this opportunity to congratulate Detective Superintendent Scott Whyte of the Gangs Squad and all the officers involved in this operation. I am sure the House would join me in congratulating the New South Wales Police Force on these outstanding results.

Question time concluded.