Gang patch bill passes

The Herald reports:

A bill banning gang insignia in places owned by the Crown or local authorities has passed into law tonight.

Police would be given the power to seize gang patches and official colours within a few days. Offenders could be faced with a $2000 fine.

The Prohibition of Gang Insignia Government Premises Bill’s sponsor MP Mark Mitchell said he did not expect an escalation in tension between police and gang members as a result of the changes.

He believed the law change would act as a deterrent and would not generate a greater workload for police officers responding to complaints about gang members in public spaces.

The law change will apply to 34 gangs identified in the legislation, but also allows the Minister of Police to identify an organisation as a gang.

Labour opposed the bill because they felt it did not address the underlying cause of gang activity, such as poverty, alienation and youth disillusionment.

Of course. Maybe Labour were worried they might end up classified as a gang 🙂