Australia sets up anti-gang taskforce to crack down on organised crime
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Australia will set up an anti-gang taskforce based on the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) model to combat "the gangs and guns on our streets", Prime Minister Julia Gillard (pictured) said on Sunday. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS
SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia will set up an anti-gang taskforce based on the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) model to combat "the gangs and guns on our streets", Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Sunday.
Ms Gillard said the A$64 million (S$81.1 million) taskforce will be made up of 70 police from national and state forces and include officers from the Australian Crime Commission, Customs and the tax department.
"These are new measures to try and make sure we are combating the gangs and guns on our streets," she told reporters in Sydney.
The prime minister announced the plan ahead of her five-day stay in western Sydney, scene of a recent spate of shootings.
