Gang colours, insignia set to be outlawed in the ACT
20 March 2026 | By Claire Fenwicke
Outlaw bikies could soon be banned from wearing or displaying their gang’s patches, colours, logos or other insignia as part of anti-consorting laws being considered by the ACT Government.
The reforms would seek to ban the public display of outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) insignia where they’re used to identify membership, intimidate the community or recruit new members.
Police Minister Dr Marisa Paterson said the legislation under consideration aimed to disrupt criminal networks and reduce the public visibility of gangs.
“OMCGs use this insignia to intimidate others, assert control, attract and recruit new members and normalise their presence in our community,” she said.
“These laws will send a clear message to these gangs that Canberra’s public spaces belong to our community, not criminal organisations.
“This ban would also make it harder for OMCGs to openly recruit. The laws would present ACT Policing with extra measures to reduce the influence of organised crime.”
ACT Policing chief police officer Scott Lee said there have been seven national gatherings (or “runs”) of OMCGs in Canberra in the past two years. One with about 180 Comanchero members is expected this Saturday (21 March).
He said the move to outlaw the display of colours and insignia would reduce the gangs’ ability to exert power and control in the community.
“There are around 43 members of outlaw motorcycle gangs who are based here in the ACT and we also know that there is a subsidiary gang, the Ready For War gang … a subgroup of the Comancheros,” CPO Lee said.
“So it is also to send a clear message to those individuals as well … it’s a positive step with [this upcoming legislation] being announced ahead of this weekend’s run.”
CPO Lee said there had been a marked increase in the number of gatherings in the ACT, which were always met with an increased police presence.
There’s also been an increase in recruitment activities.
“There’s certainly been an increase in the number of OMCG members in the ACT … it’s over 40, which is an increase over the past couple of years,” CPO Lee said.
“There’ve been photographs … in front of national symbols here in the nation’s capital, not only hitting the ACT but that’s resulted in a very large online social media response as well.
“We need to make sure we do everything we can to stop that occurring.”
But the community shouldn’t expect to see the draft legislation anytime soon.
Dr Paterson said legislation around coercive control and bail reform were ahead in the queue.
“We also have another tranche of firearms legislation that will come in the next couple of months too, so there’s a lot of policy work under way,” she said.
Dr Paterson reaffirmed the ACT Government’s opposition to anti-consorting laws, but said there were other operational measures and powers available for police to act on OMCGs.
“I think [the announcement] is a signal that the way that they have been operating here and flouting their gang leadership here is not welcome.”
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