Bikie law brawl
PROPOSED laws banning bikies with criminal convictions from consorting and wearing club colours in public have copped heavy backlash, with some comparing them to the Nazi regime.
Of the 102 submissions made to the State Government’s Organised Criminal Groups Legislation Position Paper, only five were in favour of the controversial new powers.
Bikies, their partners, law associations, civil liberties advocates and the police union were among those who made a written submission.
The Bandidos, Tasmanian Rebels president Shaun Kelly, Tasmanian Motorcycle Council, God’s Squad Christian Mo- torcycle Club and Australian Lawyers Alliance all strongly opposed the changes.
Devil’s Henchmen’s Josh Faulds was one of many club members who said he had a clean record and no involvement in drugs.
“We are like-minded motorcycle enthusiasts. We are not criminals, drug dealers, extortionists, thieves or murderers,” he said.
“What’s next? The suburbs we are allowed to live in? The jobs we are allowed to have?”
The Tasmanian Motorcycle Council said it was “totally against” the laws.
“The evidence from across Australia is that the proposed legislation is a failure,” they said.
Christine, the partner of a Rebels member, also said the laws wouldn’t work, labelling them “plain and simple” discrimination.
“Australia is becoming a Nazi regime, don’t let this happen,” she said.
The new legislation would allow high-ranking police officers to prohibit any adult who has been convicted of a serious offence from associating with any like individual.
It would also ban anybody from publicly wearing, carrying or displaying clothing, jewellery, badges and patches with the logo of any identified outlaw motorcycle gangs.
In Tasmania, these organisations include the Black Uhlans, Outlaws, Rebels, Devil’s Henchmen and Bandidos.
Other recreational clubs will not be affected, police said.
God’s Squad Christian Mo- torcycle Club urged authorities to refrain from employing a simplistic “one size fits all” approach.
“The assertion by Tasmania Police that motorcycle clubs exist solely for the purpose of drug trafficking is patently wrong, incomplete and grossly misleading,” they said.
“Return to a model of policing that ... judges people by what they actually do, rather than by who they associate with, what they choose to wear on their backs or with whom they chose to create a community.”
A small few backed the legislation, saying “harsh and extreme” penalties were needed to disrupt and disband OMCGs.
“They have infested many levels of society, causing countless levels of grief and an- guish to many different people,” one anonymous submission said.
Andrew Wright said he supported tough penalties for those who targeted vulnerable individuals and distributed drugs.
“I wholly support the proposed new legislation. It is unbelievably naive to think that these people are anything other than thugs of the worst kind,” he said.
Tasmania Police said fear of outlaw motorcycle gangs was the key factor behind receiving only a handful of supportive submissions.
The anti-bikie gang legislation is expected to be tabled in Parliament in June.
The position paper remains available online. chanel.kinniburgh@news.com.au
Laws Law that are implemented to combat com OMCGs should be harsh and extreme to disrupt, disband and destroy their evil organisations. Anonymous
levels They have infested many of society causing countless to levels of grief and anguish many different people. Anonymous
It is unbelievably naive to think that these people are anything other than thugs of the worst kind. Andrew Wright
They have intimidated the public long enough and they only make money via illegal activities. Get rid of them, the faster the better. Anonymous
It is our view that motorcycle clubs will never be legislated out of existence. Bandidos
When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes our duty. Anonymous
Legislation based on misrepresented information and rhetoric presented as fact presents a risk of undermining public the justice system and eroding confidence in Tasmania Police. Eva Cripps
I cannot agree with a law that will basically convict people and punish them without a fair trial. Innocent till proven guilty, I believe, should be what our community expects. David Imlach