Australian state introduces new laws to combat rampant bikie, "ice" problems

The Australian state of Victoria on Monday passed new legislation aimed at identifying problem bikie gang members while simultaneously clamping down on the availability of methylamphetamine.

Victoria Police has witnessed a sudden influx of bikie gang members from other states, following decisions by the country's other lawmakers to outlaw bikie gangs as criminal organizations.

Victoria's attorney-general Martin Pakula outlined the new legislation on Monday, saying the "unlawful association" law will "prohibit convicted criminals from repeatedly associating with others so as to maintain and expand their criminal networks."

He said the crackdown would make it harder for bikie gangs to function, with new offences carrying three-year jail terms and fines of up to 40,000 U.S dollars.

"These are essential new laws in making sure outlaw motorcycle gangs aren't displaced from surrounding states into Victoria, and that is extremely important in interrupting the ice trade," Pakula said on Monday.

"New South Wales and South Australia have more recently introduced consorting laws that we believe have had the effect of displacing outlaw motorcycle gang membership from those states into Victoria."

"We've seen a growth over the last 12 months of... membership and activity and that is something Victoria Police has asked us to remedy."

The legislation aims "to prevent crime by limiting the ability of criminal gangs, including outlaw motorcycle gangs, to recruit new members and maintain existing members."

Pakula said the legislation would have flow-on effects such as slowing the state's ice trade as bikie gangs play a "prominent role" in the methylamphetamine market.

The price of methylamphetamine in Victoria is one of the highest in the world, meaning international criminals -- often bikies -- bring their illegal trade to Australian shores in the hope of making money.

"These new laws will ensure our state is well-prepared to deal with the forms of organized crime facing us in 2015. We will find them out, stop them in their tracks and keep Victorians safe."