ACT has no law to break up gang gatherings, costing police $628,000 a year
The ACT government refuses anti-consorting laws that other states use, leaving police to spend over $628,000 annually just monitoring gang activity.
While New South Wales, Victoria and other states have laws to stop gang gatherings, the ACT has no anti-consorting powers. Since 2024, Canberra police have spent more than $628,000 on salaries and overtime just watching outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Canberra is now a popular spot for national gang runs and yearly meetings. Police Minister Marisa Paterson says anti-consorting laws clash with ACT human rights laws.
The Australian Federal Police Association suggested banning the public wearing of gang colours and patches. But they noted that a ban on symbols alone won't stop 50 gang members meeting at one venue if they leave their patches at home.
The police union says the ACT needs full anti-consorting laws to break up gang activity.
- $628,000
- Police spending since 2024
- NSW, Victoria
- States with anti-consorting laws
- 50
- Gang members at one venue
- Marisa Paterson
- Policy Minister
Why it mattersPolice time spent on gang watching is police time not spent on other crime. Taxpayers pay the price of this legal gap.
AustraliaCanberrans pay for expanded police monitoring of gangs that police in other Australian cities can simply break up under law.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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