{
  "id": 6089052,
  "title": "Children hired by underworld the target of NSW gang violence crackdown",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/children-hired-by-underworld-the-target-of-nsw-gang-violence-crackdown",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T02:38:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-07/new-laws-gang-crime-in-nsw-sydney-children/107123796"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The New South Wales government has unveiled a series of new laws designed to combat gang-related crime following a pair of suspected mistaken identity murders. These proposed changes encompass harsher penalties for individuals involved in plotting gang hits and those hired to perpetrate violence by underworld figures. Additionally, increased funding will be allocated to assist NSW Police in combating encrypted devices and digital platforms utilized by organized criminal networks.\n\nYoung individuals engaged in organized crime violence may now face the same penalties as adults, as part of the government's crackdown on those planning gang-related hits. This announcement follows the ongoing investigation by NSW Police into the fatal shootings of university student Marco Tapia and 40-year-old Joshua Macdonald, which appeared to be mistaken identity incidents.\n\nPremier Chris Minns highlighted concerns over the moral and immoral nature of such violence, stating that innocent families are being devastated by the actions of organized crime groups. As a response, new aggravated offenses for conspiracy and attempted murder will be introduced, with the maximum penalty increased from 25 years in jail to life imprisonment. Interim orders will be implemented to restrict a person's movements, communication, and device access even before a full court order is issued.\n\nThe legislation also aims to expand serious children's indictable offenses to include actions associated with organized crime, such as public shootings and firebombings. Consequently, young people accused of such offenses would face adult penalties if convicted. These measures will be tried in higher courts.\n\nNSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon revealed that some children are being hired by underworld figures for minimal compensation and display a lack of concern for the consequences of their actions. Police will continue their relentless pursuit of these individuals. However, Minns emphasized the need for community members to come forward with information about young people involved in criminal activities to prevent any more lives from being lost.\n\nThe government also pledged to invest $15 million in enhancing the technology capabilities of NSW Police to dismantle criminal networks exploiting encrypted devices and digital platforms for communication. Minns acknowledged the evolving nature of violent crime and acknowledged the government's previous legislative reforms, which have provided resources and manpower to target and arrest those involved in murder and public place shootings. The new legislative package aims to prevent such violent acts from occurring in the first place.",
  "summary": "Young people are warned they could face adult penalties if they are convicted of organised crime violence, as part of a crackdown on those planning gang-related hits.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}