Bikie ban’s tough road

A BAN on bikies’ colours faces a tough test in the Legislative Council, with a cross-section of Upper House members raising concerns about the proposed new laws.

The independent-dominated Council proved a thorn in the side of the Hodgman Government during its first term and looks set to apply the blowtorch to contentious legislation again.

Labor has said its four members in the 15-seat chamber will keep an open mind on the Bill, which progressive MLCs are certain to scrutinise intensely.

But even conservative former police officer Ivan Dean has told the Mercury he has concerns about banning the display of bikies’ insignia.

Constituents had raised the issue of how criminals associ- ated with gangs would identified, Mr Dean said.

“If we know who they are then we can probably be a bit more cautious and wary,” he said. “Does this make them go underground more and become less observable?

“That is a concern that has been raised with me and it’s an be area I will need to come to terms with if I’m going to support the legislation.”

Mr Dean said he was yet to read the Bill, introduced last week, and had made no decision on whether he would support it.

Civil liberties advocates have questioned the breadth of the proposed legislation and called on the State Government to release advice from police.

MLCs Ruth Forrest and Rob Valentine, who both opposed controversial mandatory sentencing legislation last year, said they would closely exam- ine the Bill. Ms Forrest said the debate would need to consider whether tough laws worked better than other measures.

“Clothing is just one aspect of who we are,” she said. “I need to really understand what problem this is seeking to address and how it will address it.”

Member for Hobart Rob Valentine said he would take the views of lawyers and civil liberties groups on board before making a decision.

“I would have some concerns and I will certainly be looking very closely at what some of the unintended conse- quences might be,” he said.

Labor police spokesman Shane Broad said this week the party would take an evidencebased approach to the legislation.

The Bill is unlikely to come before the Legislative Council until after the winter break.

How it will fare in the Upper House was difficult to predict, Mr Valentine said.

“I don’t think it’s going to be clear cut,” he said.

The Government has also flagged anti-consorting powers sought by police to be introduced by the end of the year.

Does this make them go underground more and become less observable? IVAN DEAN