KEY POINTS:
A South Australia-style ban on gangs will be one of NZ First's top priorities in any post-election negotiations.
NZ First law and order spokesman Ron Mark yesterday tried to table a private member's bill that would make gang membership a criminal offence, punishable by up to five years
in prison, but it was blocked by the Greens.
"I want to give police the power to harass gangs to death," Mr Mark said. "It is a shame the Greens saw fit to support gangs by attempting to close the door on the bill."
The Anti-gang and Organised Crime Bill allows the Government to "declare" a particular gang a criminal organisation, which gives police the power to issue "control orders" against its members and associates.
Police could also issue "public safety" orders keeping gangs out of public places.
A spokesman for NZ First leader Winston Peters said the ban would be given the "highest possible priority" if the party was re-elected and in a position to negotiate.
Mr Mark has been a long-time advocate of banning gangs and had drafted the his law before Corrections Minister Phil Goff last week said he was 100 per cent in favour of the ban if it worked in South Australia.
National's law and order spokesman Simon Power also said he was "attracted to the notion".
Mr Mark said NZ First had put "our money where our mouth is" by drawing up legislation.
He disagreed with "nonsense arguments" that the ban would make gangs harder to police because it would drive them underground.
"It might surprise them to learn that these gangs are already underground.
"I will give police the powers to go in underground after them."
Mr Mark said the ban did not have be used only on "dumb, thick gangs that strut around with patches on their backs", but on sophisticated motorcycle gangs such as like the Head Hunters, Hell's Angels and Tribesmen, which were already hard to police.
The Greens oppose the ban because it would put a barrier in the way of working with gangs to stop their criminality.
GANG BROTHER
Ron Mark's younger brother, Tui Mark, was once a Black Power gang president.
Asked if Tui Mark supported his proposed gang ban, Mr Mark said: "Why would he?"
Tui Mark has left the gang. Mr Mark said he had other family members in gangs, and while they did not agree with him, they respected his stand.
"I'll lock up my own family if I have to," Mr Mark said.
