Foreign nationals who are members or associates of criminal bikie gangs should be on notice that they could have their visas cancelled and face removal from Australia under Australia’s visa cancellation laws.
Already 81 bikie gang members or associates have had their visas cancelled or refused with a number known to be high profile gang leaders.
Of these visa cancellations or refusals to date, 31 are in prison facilities and another 23 in immigration detention facilities in Australia awaiting removal. Twenty seven have already been removed from Australia or have had their visas cancelled while offshore.
The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton today reinforced the Government’s commitment to targeting and disrupting the operations of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCGs) in Australia.
“The Australian Government is responding to this threat in multiple ways including refusing or cancelling the visas of foreign nationals associated with these gangs,” Mr Dutton said.
The Minister for Justice Michael Keenan said OMCGs pose a significant threat through their involvement in a wide range of serious crimes, including drug trafficking, money laundering and acts of high level violence.
“I want to reassure the Australian community that law enforcement agencies are using their full arsenal of capabilities and exploiting every opportunity to proactively target OMCGs operating in Australia,” Mr Keenan said.
There are 38 active OMCGs in Australia, they include an estimated 4,500 individuals and those individuals have an estimated 2,500 associates.
These are not harmless motorcycle clubs – they are well organised criminal gangs peddling harms such as ice, or illegal guns across our country and into our communities.
Under section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 visa holders must continue to meet character requirements to remain in Australia.
If they engage in criminal activity their visas will be considered for cancellation.
“I have no doubt these visa refusals or cancellations are disrupting the operations of these criminal organisations by removing key individuals from the hierarchies of the gangs along with their associates,” Mr Dutton said.