❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the lack of applications to oppose liquor licenses or ban criminals from nightspots, despite new powers granted to police to tackle organised crime. The Minister responds by highlighting the need for evidence and the establishment of a liquor squad.
AnsweredQoN 444Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BIKIE GANGS AND LIQUOR LICENCES
I refer to the article in The Australian entitled “Bikie gangs run nightclub drug scene” published in March this year, in which superintendent Fred Gere, a Western Australian policeman with expertise in bikie gangs, highlighted that these gangs are expanding their interests into Perth nightclubs and that bikie gangs control 75 per cent of the methamphetamine trade. Given that in the recent liquor licensing reforms Parliament gave police tough new powers to tackle organised crime and bikie gangs, I ask - (1) Why has the Director General of Racing, Gaming and Liquor received no application from the minister or the police commissioner to oppose or cancel liquor licences? (2) Why has the Director General of Racing, Gaming and Liquor received no application from the minister or the police commissioner for prohibition orders banning certain criminals from Perth nightspots? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
I refer to the article in The Australian entitled “Bikie gangs run nightclub drug scene” published in March this year, in which superintendent Fred Gere, a Western Australian policeman with expertise in bikie gangs, highlighted that these gangs are expanding their interests into Perth nightclubs and that bikie gangs control 75 per cent of the methamphetamine trade. Given that in the recent liquor licensing reforms Parliament gave police tough new powers to tackle organised crime and bikie gangs, I ask - (1) Why has the Director General of Racing, Gaming and Liquor received no application from the minister or the police commissioner to oppose or cancel liquor licences? (2) Why has the Director General of Racing, Gaming and Liquor received no application from the minister or the police commissioner for prohibition orders banning certain criminals from Perth nightspots? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. Clearly, organised crime has been a focus of the police in this state for some time. Under the previous minister, the member for Midland, the policy was changed to be proactive when it came to motorcycle gangs and that aspect of organised crime. When it comes to liquor licensing, the Commissioner of Police has only recently announced the establishment of a liquor squad. That relates to an earlier question and relates particularly, I believe, to the amount of violence that is fuelled by alcohol. The liquor squad’s role is to make sure the liquor licensing laws are upheld; for example, that people who are intoxicated are not served. I understand quite a number of charges have been laid in the past few weeks as a result of that active new squad. On the two issues the member referred to, I convened a meeting between senior police, the liquor licensing division and me to work with the minister in the other place on how the police can use the new legislation. They indicated that they were very keen to do that. The particular questions the member asked go to the facts before us. They cannot take action against someone connected to organised crime if no application has been made. The police are very conscious of that. If they have evidence that there is an area in which they can take action - Mr J.E. McGrath : You can ban criminals from nightclubs. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Yes, but they need the evidence to warrant that action. I have indicated that the officers in charge of liquor licensing and the police who look after that same area are working together. They believe that the new legislation will give them a greater opportunity to deal with these problems when and if they arise.
(1) Why has the Director General of Racing, Gaming and Liquor received no application from the minister or the police commissioner to oppose or cancel liquor licences? (2) Why has the Director General of Racing, Gaming and Liquor received no application from the minister or the police commissioner for prohibition orders banning certain criminals from Perth nightspots? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. Clearly, organised crime has been a focus of the police in this state for some time. Under the previous minister, the member for Midland, the policy was changed to be proactive when it came to motorcycle gangs and that aspect of organised crime. When it comes to liquor licensing, the Commissioner of Police has only recently announced the establishment of a liquor squad. That relates to an earlier question and relates particularly, I believe, to the amount of violence that is fuelled by alcohol. The liquor squad’s role is to make sure the liquor licensing laws are upheld; for example, that people who are intoxicated are not served. I understand quite a number of charges have been laid in the past few weeks as a result of that active new squad. On the two issues the member referred to, I convened a meeting between senior police, the liquor licensing division and me to work with the minister in the other place on how the police can use the new legislation. They indicated that they were very keen to do that. The particular questions the member asked go to the facts before us. They cannot take action against someone connected to organised crime if no application has been made. The police are very conscious of that. If they have evidence that there is an area in which they can take action - Mr J.E. McGrath : You can ban criminals from nightclubs. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Yes, but they need the evidence to warrant that action. I have indicated that the officers in charge of liquor licensing and the police who look after that same area are working together. They believe that the new legislation will give them a greater opportunity to deal with these problems when and if they arise.
(2) Why has the Director General of Racing, Gaming and Liquor received no application from the minister or the police commissioner for prohibition orders banning certain criminals from Perth nightspots? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. Clearly, organised crime has been a focus of the police in this state for some time. Under the previous minister, the member for Midland, the policy was changed to be proactive when it came to motorcycle gangs and that aspect of organised crime. When it comes to liquor licensing, the Commissioner of Police has only recently announced the establishment of a liquor squad. That relates to an earlier question and relates particularly, I believe, to the amount of violence that is fuelled by alcohol. The liquor squad’s role is to make sure the liquor licensing laws are upheld; for example, that people who are intoxicated are not served. I understand quite a number of charges have been laid in the past few weeks as a result of that active new squad. On the two issues the member referred to, I convened a meeting between senior police, the liquor licensing division and me to work with the minister in the other place on how the police can use the new legislation. They indicated that they were very keen to do that. The particular questions the member asked go to the facts before us. They cannot take action against someone connected to organised crime if no application has been made. The police are very conscious of that. If they have evidence that there is an area in which they can take action - Mr J.E. McGrath : You can ban criminals from nightclubs. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Yes, but they need the evidence to warrant that action. I have indicated that the officers in charge of liquor licensing and the police who look after that same area are working together. They believe that the new legislation will give them a greater opportunity to deal with these problems when and if they arise.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. Clearly, organised crime has been a focus of the police in this state for some time. Under the previous minister, the member for Midland, the policy was changed to be proactive when it came to motorcycle gangs and that aspect of organised crime. When it comes to liquor licensing, the Commissioner of Police has only recently announced the establishment of a liquor squad. That relates to an earlier question and relates particularly, I believe, to the amount of violence that is fuelled by alcohol. The liquor squad’s role is to make sure the liquor licensing laws are upheld; for example, that people who are intoxicated are not served. I understand quite a number of charges have been laid in the past few weeks as a result of that active new squad. On the two issues the member referred to, I convened a meeting between senior police, the liquor licensing division and me to work with the minister in the other place on how the police can use the new legislation. They indicated that they were very keen to do that. The particular questions the member asked go to the facts before us. They cannot take action against someone connected to organised crime if no application has been made. The police are very conscious of that. If they have evidence that there is an area in which they can take action - Mr J.E. McGrath : You can ban criminals from nightclubs. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Yes, but they need the evidence to warrant that action. I have indicated that the officers in charge of liquor licensing and the police who look after that same area are working together. They believe that the new legislation will give them a greater opportunity to deal with these problems when and if they arise.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. Clearly, organised crime has been a focus of the police in this state for some time. Under the previous minister, the member for Midland, the policy was changed to be proactive when it came to motorcycle gangs and that aspect of organised crime. When it comes to liquor licensing, the Commissioner of Police has only recently announced the establishment of a liquor squad. That relates to an earlier question and relates particularly, I believe, to the amount of violence that is fuelled by alcohol. The liquor squad’s role is to make sure the liquor licensing laws are upheld; for example, that people who are intoxicated are not served. I understand quite a number of charges have been laid in the past few weeks as a result of that active new squad. On the two issues the member referred to, I convened a meeting between senior police, the liquor licensing division and me to work with the minister in the other place on how the police can use the new legislation. They indicated that they were very keen to do that. The particular questions the member asked go to the facts before us. They cannot take action against someone connected to organised crime if no application has been made. The police are very conscious of that. If they have evidence that there is an area in which they can take action - Mr J.E. McGrath : You can ban criminals from nightclubs. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Yes, but they need the evidence to warrant that action. I have indicated that the officers in charge of liquor licensing and the police who look after that same area are working together. They believe that the new legislation will give them a greater opportunity to deal with these problems when and if they arise.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Yes, but they need the evidence to warrant that action. I have indicated that the officers in charge of liquor licensing and the police who look after that same area are working together. They believe that the new legislation will give them a greater opportunity to deal with these problems when and if they arise.
(1) Why has the Director General of Racing, Gaming and Liquor received no application from the minister or the police commissioner to oppose or cancel liquor licences? (2) Why has the Director General of Racing, Gaming and Liquor received no application from the minister or the police commissioner for prohibition orders banning certain criminals from Perth nightspots? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. Clearly, organised crime has been a focus of the police in this state for some time. Under the previous minister, the member for Midland, the policy was changed to be proactive when it came to motorcycle gangs and that aspect of organised crime. When it comes to liquor licensing, the Commissioner of Police has only recently announced the establishment of a liquor squad. That relates to an earlier question and relates particularly, I believe, to the amount of violence that is fuelled by alcohol. The liquor squad’s role is to make sure the liquor licensing laws are upheld; for example, that people who are intoxicated are not served. I understand quite a number of charges have been laid in the past few weeks as a result of that active new squad. On the two issues the member referred to, I convened a meeting between senior police, the liquor licensing division and me to work with the minister in the other place on how the police can use the new legislation. They indicated that they were very keen to do that. The particular questions the member asked go to the facts before us. They cannot take action against someone connected to organised crime if no application has been made. The police are very conscious of that. If they have evidence that there is an area in which they can take action - Mr J.E. McGrath : You can ban criminals from nightclubs. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Yes, but they need the evidence to warrant that action. I have indicated that the officers in charge of liquor licensing and the police who look after that same area are working together. They believe that the new legislation will give them a greater opportunity to deal with these problems when and if they arise.
(2) Why has the Director General of Racing, Gaming and Liquor received no application from the minister or the police commissioner for prohibition orders banning certain criminals from Perth nightspots? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. Clearly, organised crime has been a focus of the police in this state for some time. Under the previous minister, the member for Midland, the policy was changed to be proactive when it came to motorcycle gangs and that aspect of organised crime. When it comes to liquor licensing, the Commissioner of Police has only recently announced the establishment of a liquor squad. That relates to an earlier question and relates particularly, I believe, to the amount of violence that is fuelled by alcohol. The liquor squad’s role is to make sure the liquor licensing laws are upheld; for example, that people who are intoxicated are not served. I understand quite a number of charges have been laid in the past few weeks as a result of that active new squad. On the two issues the member referred to, I convened a meeting between senior police, the liquor licensing division and me to work with the minister in the other place on how the police can use the new legislation. They indicated that they were very keen to do that. The particular questions the member asked go to the facts before us. They cannot take action against someone connected to organised crime if no application has been made. The police are very conscious of that. If they have evidence that there is an area in which they can take action - Mr J.E. McGrath : You can ban criminals from nightclubs. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Yes, but they need the evidence to warrant that action. I have indicated that the officers in charge of liquor licensing and the police who look after that same area are working together. They believe that the new legislation will give them a greater opportunity to deal with these problems when and if they arise.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. Clearly, organised crime has been a focus of the police in this state for some time. Under the previous minister, the member for Midland, the policy was changed to be proactive when it came to motorcycle gangs and that aspect of organised crime. When it comes to liquor licensing, the Commissioner of Police has only recently announced the establishment of a liquor squad. That relates to an earlier question and relates particularly, I believe, to the amount of violence that is fuelled by alcohol. The liquor squad’s role is to make sure the liquor licensing laws are upheld; for example, that people who are intoxicated are not served. I understand quite a number of charges have been laid in the past few weeks as a result of that active new squad. On the two issues the member referred to, I convened a meeting between senior police, the liquor licensing division and me to work with the minister in the other place on how the police can use the new legislation. They indicated that they were very keen to do that. The particular questions the member asked go to the facts before us. They cannot take action against someone connected to organised crime if no application has been made. The police are very conscious of that. If they have evidence that there is an area in which they can take action - Mr J.E. McGrath : You can ban criminals from nightclubs. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Yes, but they need the evidence to warrant that action. I have indicated that the officers in charge of liquor licensing and the police who look after that same area are working together. They believe that the new legislation will give them a greater opportunity to deal with these problems when and if they arise.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. Clearly, organised crime has been a focus of the police in this state for some time. Under the previous minister, the member for Midland, the policy was changed to be proactive when it came to motorcycle gangs and that aspect of organised crime. When it comes to liquor licensing, the Commissioner of Police has only recently announced the establishment of a liquor squad. That relates to an earlier question and relates particularly, I believe, to the amount of violence that is fuelled by alcohol. The liquor squad’s role is to make sure the liquor licensing laws are upheld; for example, that people who are intoxicated are not served. I understand quite a number of charges have been laid in the past few weeks as a result of that active new squad. On the two issues the member referred to, I convened a meeting between senior police, the liquor licensing division and me to work with the minister in the other place on how the police can use the new legislation. They indicated that they were very keen to do that. The particular questions the member asked go to the facts before us. They cannot take action against someone connected to organised crime if no application has been made. The police are very conscious of that. If they have evidence that there is an area in which they can take action - Mr J.E. McGrath : You can ban criminals from nightclubs. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Yes, but they need the evidence to warrant that action. I have indicated that the officers in charge of liquor licensing and the police who look after that same area are working together. They believe that the new legislation will give them a greater opportunity to deal with these problems when and if they arise.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Yes, but they need the evidence to warrant that action. I have indicated that the officers in charge of liquor licensing and the police who look after that same area are working together. They believe that the new legislation will give them a greater opportunity to deal with these problems when and if they arise.
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