Proposed new laws to crack down on the use of fortified buildings for criminal groups to conduct illegal activities have now passed through the lower house. 

The law would give Tasmania Police more power to remove fortified buildings if they were found to be excessive and were believed to be connected to an offence. 

Police Minister Rene Hidding said the laws were important to ensuring criminal groups did not become entrenched in Tasmania. 

“Our new laws will replace the fortification removal provisions contained within the Police Offences Act 1935 with a new standalone Act,” Mr Hidding said. 

“We make no apologies for being tough on crime and these laws will send the right message that criminal activity will not be tolerated.” 

Amendments to the Living Marine Resource Management Act 1995 also passed through the lower house, but some clauses first faced strong opposition from the Greens. 

The amendment proposes to permanently ban super trawlers from Tasmanian waters, which extend three nautical miles offshore. 

Greens marine environment spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff questioned in Parliament whether the bill was capable of stopping a vessel from using Tasmania’s port for the purpose of trawling.

“This will in no way disallow [super trawlers] from continuing the function of their operations that would be directly affecting the long-term sustainability of the Tasmanian fishing industry,” Dr Woodruff told Parliament. 

But Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff told Parliament that the purpose of the legislation was for super trawlers not to be allowed in Tasmanian waters.

“You can’t do it now because of regulations since 2001 and we’re strengthening that provision by introducing legislation, full stop,” he said. 

The bills will now be debated in the upper house.