The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) says it is hearing from the community that people are “fed up” with the ACT court system. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Canberra families are asking why their suburbs have become a “warzone” following a spate of gun crime across Canberra, according to Canberra Liberals MLA Deborah Morris.
The Shadow Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Community Safety passed a motion in the ACT Legislative Assembly today (9 April), which called on the ACT Government to introduce “common sense” laws to get on top of crime – before things get even worse.
It comes after the ACT’s Chief Police Officer confirmed at least six shootings across Canberra in recent weeks have injured three people, killed a family dog and left gunshot damage to family homes.
Mrs Morris said multiple Canberra suburbs from Greenway to Watson had been “caught in the crossfire of targeted gun attacks”.
“The Canberra community deserves to know why their suburbs have become a warzone and what action is being taken to keep them safe,” she said.
“But the ACT Government has refused to introduce common sense laws adopted in other jurisdictions to prevent, disrupt and dismantle criminal exploits.”
Her motion calls for the ACT Government to introduce anti-consorting laws that would make it an offence to associate with members of certain organisations like outlaw motorcycle gangs.
In September 2024, bikie gang Comancheros released what the police union has described as basically a “tourism video”, effectively inviting bikies to “come to the nation’s capital and run amok because nobody’s going to care”.
Scenes show bikies – clad in “Commies” colours and insignia – catching up at various spots around Canberra, including a brothel and sports bar in Mitchel and at the Australian-American ‘Eagle’ memorial in Russell.
So far, the video has amassed more than 300,000 views.
Mrs Morris said this meeting, combined with two recent visits to Canberra by the Rebels and Hells Angels, required “a significant diversion of police resources” of 361 officers and cost ACT Policing a total of $409,771 over eight days.
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) has thrown its support behind Mrs Morris’s motion but went further, arguing Canberra’s judicial system needs a “complete review”.
President Alex Caruana told Region violent crime in the ACT has escalated in the past few years to the point “it’s only a matter of time until a member of the public gets hurt”.
“We’re moving to a place and time where police officers have far less rights than criminals do … so police officers are worried for their lives,” he said.
“When we look at what the punishments are when people breach bail or breach a violence order, it’s essentially a slap on the wrist.
“I would hate to be a victim in the ACT.”
The union wants “wanding” legislation (also known as ‘Jack’s Law’) introduced to the ACT, which allows officers to use a metal detector on people they reasonably suspect of carrying weapons.
“In NSW, we’ve seen hundreds of knives and other weapons removed from the streets from people who were illegally carrying them because of that legislation,” Mr Caruana said.
Australian Federal Police Association president Alex Caruana. Photo: Albert McKnight.
The union also wants a firearm prohibition order brought in which would prevent certain individuals from acquiring, possessing, or using firearms, firearm parts, or ammunition, in the interests of public safety.
“It’s a no-brainer that gives police the power to be able to keep the community safe and reduce these retaliatory attacks.”
The alternative is far worse, he said.
“The community has started to tell me they are getting to the point where they are going to start taking justice into their own hands … because the courts aren’t doing their jobs properly.
“And prisoners will have no rights when they’re tied up in someone’s backyard or basement getting burnt, getting bashed.
“We need to get some balance back out there, where victims feel as though that they are getting justice, and where criminals get rehabilitated … And we need to get police officers back out there, so the community feels safe again.”
Seized firearms held by ACT Policing. Photo: ACT Policing.
In response to Mrs Morris’ motion, Attorney-General Tara Cheyne said the government could not support anti-consorting laws due to the fact they “need a lot of work to be reasonable and justifiable and to have a legitimate purpose”.
“We know in other jurisdictions that they have been used to unjustly, intentional or not, capture some of the most vulnerable people in our community – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, homeless people, women.”
Ms Cheyne added she and Police Minister Dr Marisa Paterson would continue “in earnest” to have conversations with ACT Policing and the AFPA.
“We will continue to ensure that police have the resources and necessary, appropriate and proportionate tools, legislative and otherwise, to help prioritize community safety.”
