Mr MATT KEAN ( Hornsby—Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation) (16:42:59): I speak in support of the Tattoo Parlours Amendment Bill 2017, and I congratulate the Minister for Police on introducing the legislation. This bill amends and improves the tattoo parlour reforms that were introduced in 2012. Although the Government has achieved success through the reforms, there is more that can be done. It is yet another indication of the Liberal-Nationals Government's commitment to bringing to justice anyone who supports organised crime. This Government continues to deliver the necessary legislation and resources to police to protect the safety of the people of New South Wales.
Before the reforms were implemented bikie gangs in New South Wales posed a much greater risk. According to media reports, in 2012 alone there were a total of 52 shootings between bikie gangs and other organised crime groups. One avenue for their violence and illegal activities was tattoo parlours. At the time police were quoted in the media as saying that one in four tattoo parlours in New South Wales were bikie affiliated, with 189 crimes recorded at tattoo parlours over the previous five years. The involvement of bikie gangs in tattoo parlours resulted in them being at the centre of standover tactics, extortion and money laundering activities, as well as arson attacks, shootings and violent turf wars. Tattoo parlour owners were extorted for money; they were attacked and their premises were firebombed if they did not pay up. There were shootings, attacks and firebombings at tattoo parlours in Mount Druitt, West Ryde, Coogee, South Windsor and Hurstville, just to name a few.
The Tattoo Parlours Act 2012 helped bring this bikie infiltration of the industry into line through licensing, regulation and strong police enforcement. Regulating the tattoo parlour industry, which other States are now emulating, has been a lengthy and tough business. I congratulate the co-regulators—NSW Fair Trading and the NSW Police Force—on their hard work and dedication in administering and enforcing the tattoo parlours regime. Many shady former operators have been refused licences, and new market entrants with no bikie affiliations have been granted licences. The bill makes some fairly small but important amendments. We cannot afford to relax in the fight against organised crime and outlaw motorcycle gangs. The amendments represent a small part of this Government's efforts to tackle outlaw motorcycle gangs.
The Government has modernised consorting laws and restricted premises legislation to break up criminal gangs and to close down club houses where illegal activity occurs. The Government has brought back firearms prohibition orders to keep criminals from owning guns. We have enhanced criminal group participation and drive‑by shooting offences to deter and punish violent and organised crime. We have introduced serious crime prevention orders to restrict the activities of persons or businesses involved in serious crime. We have allowed senior police officers to issue temporary public safety orders to prevent people from attending places or events where they are expected to engage in violence or present a serious threat to public safety or security. We have improved our ability to confiscate the assets of serious criminals, and we have enhanced money-laundering offences in relation to dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Ensuring that the Tattoo Parlours Act remains up to the job is part of our unceasing efforts to disrupt and dismantle organised crime. This is another example of the Liberal-Nationals Government getting serious about cracking down on criminal behaviour, and I commend the Minister for Police for his outstanding and unrelenting pursuit of crooks in this State. Not a day goes by when he does not think about how we can make the streets safer for residents across New South Wales. As the Minister for Fair Trading, I appreciate the opportunity to work hand in glove with the Minister for Police to bring an end to the scourge of criminal bikie gangs in New South Wales. I commend the bill to the House.
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