The testosterone flows as Abbott and O'Farrell Governments create joint NSW strike team to combat gang crime

 

UNCLASSIFIED

 

Hon. Michael Keenan MP

Minister for Justice

 

Hon. Michael Gallacher MLC

NSW Minister for Police & Emergency Services

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

 

Friday, 22 November 2013

 

NSW STRIKE TEAM TO COMBAT GANG CRIME

 

Minister for Justice, Michael Keenan, and NSW Minister for Police, Michael Gallacher, today announced that the Commonwealth and NSW Governments are establishing a joint strike team to combat gang crime, as part of the $64 million National Anti-Gangs Squad.

 

The NSW Strike Team will comprise of officers from New South Wales Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Taxation Office. As part of this Strike Team, the NSW Police will have access to Commonwealth intelligence from agencies including the Australian Crime Commission, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Taxation Office, Centrelink, Customs and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

 

“All Strike Teams, under the National Anti-Gangs Squad, have been fast tracked and are now operational, as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to combatting gang crime across Australia, ” Mr Keenan said.

 

“What we are seeing is an unprecedented level of cooperation between Australian law enforcement agencies and their state colleagues to target gang-related crime.”

 

“Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs are the public face of organised crime in Australia. These gangs have national and often international dimensions and as a result demand a national response, which we are committed to delivering with our state colleagues.”

 

“We are serious about stopping the scourge of bikie crime across the country. The National Anti-Gangs Squad is just one of a raft of initiatives that the Government has to make sure that no place in Australia is a safe haven for organised crime,” Mr Keenan said. 

 

NSW Police Minister Michael Gallacher said we are serious about tackling gang crime and we are building stronger state and federal partnerships with all agencies working together.

 

“This joint strike team is an important step in an enhanced national approach to targeting organised crime.

 

“We are taking many measures to target organised crime and we welcome this investment by the Commonwealth in the safety and security of our State,” Minister Gallacher said.

 

Further Information: Minister Keenan – Hannah Weir 0417 862 688

                                     Minister Gallacher – Clint McGilvray 0413 285 186

 

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