Gang link-up ‘news to me’
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk admits she had no idea that Middle Eastern radicals were hooked up with bikie gangs on the Glitter Strip.
The Bulletin revealed on Thursday the Bandidos had set their sights on members of youth gangs such as Ummah United in Logan and South Brisbane.
The links were revealed as police uncovered a branch of the violent Middle Eastern gang, DLASTHR ( The Last Hour), and raided a Labrador property leading to an alleged gang member being arrested on drug charges.
Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker tabled a report in State Parliament and asked the Premier whether the Govern- ment’s decision to revoke the tough anti-bikie VLAD laws had encouraged the Sydney gang to create a base on the Coast.
“I’m happy to look at that media report,” the Premier replied. “I am not aware of it. I will ask the Police Minister to give me some urgent advice. Let me say that our serious crime legislation that we introduced is the toughest in Australia.”
Opposition and police sources were shocked the Govern- ment had not been briefed on the latest gang report.
Mr Walker said the Premier had ignored warnings from senior police about softening the VLAD laws and a request from Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to maintain the crackdown on bikies.
Mr Walker said the Premier “has opened the door to the worst of the criminal gangs to set up shop on the Gold Coast because they know they won’t be stopped by Labor’s weak approach”.
Police Minister Mark Ryan later told Parliament the arrest showed the new laws were working.
“As of 21 March – only two days ago – three verified consorting warning notices were issued to individuals in the Gold Coast police district, with a total of 42 across Queensland,” Mr Ryan said.