Organised Crime

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-168581

Hansard session: Fifty-Eighth Parliament, First Session (58-1)

Organised Crime

Mr ANTHONY ROBERTS (Lane Cove) (17:01:29):

I move:

That this House:

(1)Thanks the officers of the NSW Police Force for their hard work, courage and dedication in keeping our communities safe.

(2)Notes that there have been 52 gangland shootings, including three mistaken identity killings, in New South Wales this year alone.

(3)Notes that on 3 September 2026 the Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism said that gangland crime is not out of control, but hours later, when the Premier was asked if it was out of control, he said, "For the people who've been affected, who've been killed, the answer is yes."

(4)Condemns the Minns Labor Government for letting gangland violence escalate in New South Wales on its watch.

I begin with the men and women of the NSW Police Force. They are the thin blue line between our communities and the people who would do them harm. They protect this State and keep people safe every day. They work incredibly hard, and they deserve the universal support of every member of this Parliament. The first duty of this Parliament is to protect its citizens. On gangland violence, this Government has failed that duty. There have been 52 suspected gangland shootings in New South Wales this year. Three people were killed because someone had the wrong house or the wrong face. If the year continues as it has begun, we will be near 76 shootings by Christmas. These families were entitled to the protection of the State. They did not get it in time.

This pot has been on the stove for the life of this Government. For nearly four years, organised crime has been getting hotter. The networks have adapted. They recruit younger people. They give the order through a phone and middleman. They have found new ways to conceal the proceeds of crime. Police have been telling the Minister, Government and Parliament that the way these groups work is changing and changing rapidly. What has marked this Government's answer to almost every new form of serious offending that has emerged on its watch? Delay. There is no instinct in this Labor Government to move early and respond. There is no instinct to give police the power they have asked for while there is still time. Ministers wait until the situation is nearly untenable, and then a bill is rammed through the departments and Parliamentary Counsel at a rate of knots and introduced in this House, as if haste today can recover the time that was lost and the lives that were destroyed.

What is worse is that when those bills arrive, they are merely half measures. The offences are too narrow. The penalties do not meet the crime and the expectations of the community. Over the past three years, the Opposition has moved amendments to strengthen bail provisions, organised crime offences and other serious offending. The Labor Government has always voted them down. It would rather leave the hard part to the courts than write a law that deters or gives law enforcement the tools to reduce crime. Parliament has to act when evidence of new and serious offending comes before it, not after months or years have gone by. It seems that the closer we get to the next State election, the more these bills appear.

Look at the past two years. In 2024 and 2025 the Government moved on youth bail and on the illicit tobacco shops that feed these networks. The first real gangland bill of this year did not arrive until May. It was passed in June and the Opposition amendments that would have given it some real teeth were voted down. A second bill was introduced on 6 August. Nine days ago, after two innocent men were killed, the Government announced a third package that has not even been introduced. I have been a member of this House for a long time. I have sat on the Government benches as a Minister. What I see in this Government is not a plan to reduce crime. It seems that this Labor Government has a belief and culture that crime will keep rising, the streets will keep getting less safe, and the job of Ministers is to manage the news of it so that nobody gets too upset in the meantime.

There is another way. This Parliament can act early, and it can keep acting. It can give police the numbers and the powers they need before the next family is told their child was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Again, the first duty of this Parliament is to protect the citizens of this great State. I say to the people of New South Wales that they do not have to accept a Labor government that sees increasing crime as inevitable. They can have a Coalition government that drives it down. They can have a Coalition government that will stand with the community against this wave of crime that has gripped this city and State. A Liberal-Nationals government, led by Kellie Sloane, will treat public safety as the first business of the State, not as a media story to be squashed when the election comes into view. I commend the motion to the House.

Mr EDMOND ATALLA (Mount Druitt) (17:07:11):

I speak in opposition to the motion. I start by thanking the men and women of the NSW Police Force for the extraordinary work they do every day to keep our communities safe. Police officers run towards danger while others run away. They investigate murders, shootings, organised crime, drug trafficking and serious violence. They deserve the full support of this Parliament. But supporting our police means giving them the powers, technology, resources and laws they need to deal with the criminals they face today. The face of organised crime is changing. Crime as a service, the model which has been operating across the world, has found Australia. No longer is organised crime confined to relatively small established groups of hardened criminals. It is now contracted out.

Criminal conspiracies involve crowdsourcing people, often children, to carry out these heinous crimes. It is all orchestrated by people overseas, who think they can avoid justice by living it large elsewhere. The Government recognises that the nature of organised crime has changed, and law enforcement powers must keep pace. As we have always done in this Government, we are backing police and the Crime Commission to ensure they have the tools they need. In October 2025 the Government introduced the Criminal Asset Recovery Amendment (Organised Crime Reforms) Bill, which followed the Crime Commission's Jasper II report. In June this Government introduced the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Organised and Gang-related Crime Reforms) Bill 2026. Following a statutory review of the 2022 organised crime reforms, the Government acted on the recommendations of the police to expand the use of dedicated encrypted criminal communication device prohibition orders; increase the capacity of the NSW Crime Commission; remove restrictions on targeting of the assets of declared drug traffickers; crack down on recruitment of children into crime; beef up penalties for firebombings and arsons; and beef up penalties for the use of "kill cars".

The next tranche of the Government's reforms is before the Parliament. The Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Further Organised Crimes Reforms) Bill 2026 expands the use of digital evidence access orders to access mobile phones and other devices, doubling penalties for refusing to answer questions or providing false information to the Crime Commission and providing access to un-pixelated toll camera images to police investigating serious crime. Organised crime is, fundamentally, all about money. It exploits any opportunity to cheat, rob and steal money from our community. The Government recognises that challenge. We are responding with stronger laws, stronger police powers, stronger asset confiscation measures, better technology and significant investment in the NSW Police Force and the NSW Crime Commission.

Most importantly, we are listening to the people who actually fight organised crime every day—our police and our Crime Commission. When they identify a loophole, we close it. When they identify a new threat, we respond. When they need stronger powers, we give them those powers. When criminals change the way they operate, this Government changes the way we fight them. This motion attempts to reduce a complex and evolving national and international organised crime problem to a political slogan. The people of New South Wales deserve better than that. They deserve a government that acknowledges the seriousness of the threat, backs our police and gives them the tools they need, and gets on with the job of keeping our communities safe. That is what this Government is doing, and that is why I oppose the motion.

Mrs WENDY TUCKERMAN (Goulburn) (17:12:16):

I support the motion and thank the member for Lane Cove for bringing it to the House. I thank the officers of the NSW Police Force. In Goulburn and across our region, we understand the commitment that policing demands. Our officers deserve a government that gives them the support and resources to do their job and accepts responsibility for keeping the public safe. That responsibility rests squarely with the Minns Labor Government. There has been plenty of opportunity, through legislative amendments proposed by the Coalition, to be strong on law. The Government has continually squandered those opportunities and now pretends to act urgently because innocent people are dying, but it does not. The Minister says, "We have done everything the police have asked of us." No, she has not. We are still waiting. The Government has not gone far enough. It has been weak. The numbers tell us that; the innocent lives taken tell us that.

The motion records 52 gangland shootings this year and three mistaken identity killings. Behind those figures are families whose lives have been destroyed and communities left wondering whether their street will be next. An innocent young man was killed in his own home. Another man was shot dead with children nearby. At Punchbowl, a fatal shooting occurred outside a community centre, close to a school. They are places where people should feel safe going about their lives. On 3 September the police Minister said that gangland crime was not out of control. Hours later, the Premier acknowledged that, for those affected and those killed, the answer was yes, it was. How can the public have confidence in this Government's response when its own Premier and Ministers cannot agree on the seriousness of the problem?

As the member for Goulburn, I expect community safety to be a priority across the whole State. Regional families deserve the same protection as families in Sydney. The recruitment of young people by organised criminal networks, including those directed by figures operating overseas, should concern every parent. There are troubling court figures on youth offending. In the 12 months to March 2023, at the end of the Coalition's time in government, police recorded 797 youth court actions for assault not related to domestic violence. In the equivalent period to March 2026, that figure was 1,109. That is an increase of 39 per cent. Youth court actions for breaches of bail conditions rose from 1,535 to 1,716 over the same period—an increase of almost 12 per cent. Those are court actions, not convictions. The number of young people coming before our courts and the circumstances bringing them there demand a serious response.

The latest June figures show a 20.2 per cent annual increase in youth court actions for non-domestic assault. The concern extends to violence in regional communities. Comparing the years ending March 2023 and March 2026, recorded domestic violence assaults across regional New South Wales rose from 15,990 to 18,260. That is 2,270 additional recorded assaults, an increase of 14 per cent. Over the same period, recorded non-domestic assaults rose 18 per cent in Newcastle-Lake Macquarie and 17 per cent in Richmond-Tweed. Those figures concern violence beyond the gangland conflict. Regional families also deserve an explanation from this Government and a response that makes them safer.

Labor has now announced another organised crime package, including stronger penalties and funding to access encrypted devices. Those measures must be judged by their delivery and their results. After more than three years in office, the Government must explain why communities are still waiting for an effective response to this violence. Our police are doing dangerous work every day. The Minns Government must take responsibility for its part, deliver the support they need, not dillydally—lives are at risk—and send a clear, strong message, because at the moment the Government is dismally failing the people of New South Wales. I commend the motion to the House.

Mrs SALLY QUINNELL (Camden) (17:17:02):

I make a brief contribution against the motion. Like the speakers before me, I commend the work that New South Wales police are doing. Police are working around the clock to tackle organised crime across our State. In May 2025 the police commenced Taskforce Falcon in response to shootings occurring on our streets. A unit of more than 150 officers and detectives, including specialists from the State Crime Command, Falcon has been instrumental in bringing those thugs to justice. Since May 2025 it has arrested over 800 people and laid more than 2,000 charges. That is close to two arrests per day. Falcon has also seized 67 firearms, 182 weapons, and drugs valued at $268 million. But Falcon is just one part of the story.

The New South Wales police are a force over 16,000 strong. The State Crime Command is instrumental in combating organised and serious crime across the State—1,100 experienced, dedicated and hardworking detectives who stop at nothing to protect the people of New South Wales and bring criminals to justice. In the first seven months of 2026, the State Crime Command seized 365 firearms, over $12 million in cash and $13 million in cryptocurrency, which is fast becoming the currency of choice for criminals. The State Crime Command's premier squad for disrupting organised crime is the Raptor Squad. Established as a specialist unit to target outlaw motorcycle gangs, the squad has become a permanent standalone unit of the State Crime Command and is recognised internationally as a leader in disrupting the operating models of organised criminals. Over the past four years, they have made over 5,000 arrests, laid nearly 13,000 charges and issued 3,865 firearms prohibition orders.

While the New South Wales police get some attention, the role of the NSW Crime Commission cannot be overstated. New South Wales is the only State in the country that has a dedicated crime commission. Other jurisdictions have joined anti-corruption and anti-crime agencies, but in this State we have long seen the wisdom in separating those functions. The ICAC is vigilant about preventing corruption in all its forms, and the NSW Crime Commission is laser focused on serious and organised crime. That model pays dividends to the people of New South Wales. The NSW Crime Commission has delivered record-breaking confiscation outcomes, restraining $168.6 million in criminal assets, and finalising over $63.7 million in confiscation orders and asset forfeiture notices.

Our police officers run towards danger when everyone else is running away. We have seen extraordinary examples of that in the past six to 12 months alone. I know that everyone in this Chamber believes in our NSW Police Force. But when we are not united, when we cannot agree that our police are doing a great job, it sends a clear message to organised crime that there are cracks in our solidarity and there is space for them to function in this State. We do not want that. I cannot support the motion brought to this Chamber today. I stand by our Police Force. The number of arrests and charges brought against the thugs who are trying their best to wrest control from police in our State is exemplary. I support the police 100 per cent. That is why I cannot support this motion.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (17:21:38):

I speak in support of the public interest debate and the motion moved by the good member for Lane Cove, which goes to an issue that matters to every single family in New South Wales—the right to live safely in our homes and walk our streets and raise our children without fear of violent crime. That right is being undermined by a Labor government that has lost control of the crime situation in our State. I begin by thanking the men and women of the NSW Police Force, particularly those in my local area command, the St George Police Area Command, and the Campsie command. Our police officers show courage, professionalism and dedication every single day. They put themselves in harm's way to protect us and our community, often by confronting the most dangerous criminals. They deserve our respect, they deserve our support, and they deserve a government that backs them in with the laws and resources necessary to keep people safe.

This year alone, there have been 52 gangland shootings across New South Wales, including three mistaken identity killings. That is not a crime statistic; that is a family losing a son, a mother losing a child, and a community being forced to confront the terrifying reality that innocent people can be caught in the crossfire of organised crime. It is the worst I have seen in my almost 16 years in this Parliament. What did the Minister for police have to say about all this? She said that gangland crime was not "out of control." But hours later, when the Premier was asked whether it was out of control, his response was:

For the people who've been affected, who've been killed, the answer is yes.

That is an extraordinary admission from the Government, which should have been leading the response to this crisis from the beginning. The Government should not need to wait for another innocent person to be killed before acknowledging the seriousness of the problem.

As the shadow Minister for South Western Sydney, I know about the consequences for Western Sydney and the south-west. On 1 September a 23-year-old university student was shot dead in his bedroom during a home invasion in Glen Alpine. The next day another gentleman, aged 40, was killed in Merrylands West. Two innocent men were killed, two families were devastated and two shootings occurred on consecutive days. Days later, someone else was fatally shot in the car park of a community centre in Punchbowl—not too far from my electorate of Oatley. Those incidents are a warning to every community across Sydney. I think about families across the St George area and south-western Sydney. Parents taking their children to school, seniors going to the shops, and young people using parks and community facilities should not have to wonder whether a gangland dispute will spill into their neighbourhood. They should not have to worry that an innocent person might be mistaken for a criminal target.

Labor has had its opportunity. The Government has been in office for close to four years, yet we continue to see serious violence, organised crime and young people drawn into criminal activity. The people of New South Wales are not asking for excuses; they want action. In six months time, if those opposite want to contest an election based on law and order issues, we will give it to them. That is why we have announced that we will introduce "adult crime, adult time" laws within the first 100 days of a Kellie Sloane Liberal Government. If a young person commits a serious adult crime, there must be serious adult consequences. Our reforms will expand the list of serious children's indictable offences to include aggravated robbery, armed robbery in company, carjacking, firing a gun at a house or motor vehicle, and aggravated break and enter.

They are serious crimes that cause serious harm, but members opposite do not understand that. The consequences must reflect that seriousness. But our plan is not simply about punishment. We will double funding for the Community Safety Investment Fund. We want to stop young people becoming serious offenders in the first place. The Liberal-Nationals will put community safety first once and for all.

Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (17:26:45):

I move:

That the motion be amended by omitting all paragraphs after (1) and inserting instead:

(2)Notes the NSW Police Force is throwing everything at the people behind these shootings and is relentless in its pursuit of organised crime and keeping the community safe.

(3)Notes the NSW Police Force has foiled up to 50 murder plots by organised crime groups in the past four months and Taskforce Falcon has made over 800 arrests and issued over 2,000 charges since being established in May 2025.

(4)Notes legislation was introduced by the Minns Labor Government, and passed by the New South Wales Parliament this year, that increased penalties and jail terms for organised crime and related offences, created new offences for recruiting children into organised crime, and expanded powers to target unexplained wealth and criminal assets.

(5)Notes the Minns Labor Government has introduced further legislation to further strengthen laws relating to organised crime.

I move this amendment because on this side of the House we know that probationary constables in Punchbowl, Campbelltown, Mount Druitt or Camden are looking to this Parliament to come together and support them as they go out on their nightshift or day patrol. They do not want to see people in this place posturing and seeking a political advantage against their opponents. That is exactly what the original motion does. During my privileged time in this place, I have learned that one should never seek fortune from another's misfortune. The Government is responding to unfortunate circumstances in our community by supporting our police. I reiterate the Government's gratitude to those police officers who are out keeping our communities safe.

I acknowledge the innocent members of our community who have been tragically caught up in the terrible circumstances of the situation that now confronts us. As previously said, the face of organised crime has changed, but our police are changing to ensure that communities are kept safe. The Premier and the police Minister have been very clear in not pretending the problem does not exist. They are being realistic and are reacting to ensure that our police have everything they need. More broadly, in the past month there have been 353 probationary constables attested—the largest class in over a decade.

The Government is not stopping there. The Government has expanded attestations at the academy from three to four per year. There are a number of programs in place, such as enabling interstate police and Australian Federal Police officers to join the best paid police force in Australasia without losing their rank or jumping through hoops. The Government has established the first 12-month cadet traineeship program in almost 50 years, giving school leavers and young adults hands-on experience and early exposure to policing culture, values and expectations. The Government announced the Be a Cop in Your Community program in March, because the Government knows an effective police force is one that reflects the community that it serves.

I conclude my remarks where I began. It is the role of this Parliament to politicise certain matters, but this is not one of them. We have seen matters of this nature throughout our communities in the past, and parliaments have come together to support our police on the ground. I put this thought into the mind of every member in this place: A young probationary constable going on patrol for the night shift, probably in about 15 minutes, would like to be able to look to this Parliament and see us come together to support them.

Mr ANTHONY ROBERTS (Lane Cove) (17:31:56):

In reply: I thank those honourable members who actually bothered to come to this House to support the police and acknowledge that there is a crime crisis. The fact that no Minister of this Government has attended debate on this important motion is a testament to how seriously this Government takes the crime crisis on the streets of both metropolitan and regional New South Wales. All speakers have acknowledged the hard work of our police, and no-one disagrees with that. Every current and former police officer at all levels within the Police Force acknowledges that there is a crime crisis, and they are not being backed up. Yes, they have better weapons and drones. But their belief is that, whilst the hierarchy of the Police Force is backing up the general duties of the detectives, real support is not coming from this current Labor Government because the legislation is soft.

Certainly Government members can increase the ceiling of penalties. But if they do not increase the floor, every police officer will tell them it is not a deterrent, because organised criminals know how to use the system. Coming from a government that was strong on law and order for 12 years, we understand that something happened about four years ago that stopped Sydney being a place where people felt safe—where they could walk down a street and pick their child up from a childcare centre without the fear of being shot. Who would have believed that an 82-year-old grandfather would be taken from his home, not far from my electorate, and then tortured and murdered?

It did not happen four years ago. What happened four years ago was a change of government. The Government decided to go the way of Victoria and not support our police with strong laws and strong regulation. This government has gone soft. It has betrayed the people of New South Wales on the law and order issue. In six months people will have the opportunity to move away from the crisis that we see in our streets each and every day. They will have the opportunity to put in government a Coalition that has a strong record on law and order and that will keep the people of New South Wales safe.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Jason Li):

The member for Lane Cove has moved a motion, to which the member for Campbelltown has moved an amendment. The question is that the amendment be agreed to.

Amendment agreed to.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Jason Li):

The question now is that the motion as amended be agreed to.

Motion as amended agreed to.