CRACKDOWN NEEDS
GOLD Coast tourism and business leaders fear the Labor Government will “take the foot off the pedal” on pursuing bikie gangs in the wake of a new report on organised crime.
The Queensland Organised Crime Commission of Inquiry found the heavy focus on outlaw motorcycle gangs meant crime fighters lost their focus on other areas of organised crime in the state.
Commissioner Michael Byrne in his report recommended the Crime and Corruption Commission extend its intelligence and research functions “beyond outlaw motorcycle gangs” and Queensland police should broaden policing strategies to other areas.
The report, released yesterday, said the QPS had received $14.2 million in two years to fight bikies and the CCC was funded $6.7 million over four years, yet gang members only accounted for 0.52 per cent of criminal activity.
Coast community leaders immediately called for police resources to remain here and the city’s Opposition MPs were stunned by the findings of what they called an expensive and largely secret inquiry.
Surfers Paradise MP and deputy LNP leader John-Paul Langbroek yesterday defended the former Newman government’s decision to focus on the gangs.
“I think Gold Coasters would be really concerned (by the report),” he said.
“There isn’t any sense is taking the foot off the pedal (in crackdown on gangs).”
Mr Langbroek said it was a simplistic argument to quote low figures of crime when the restrictive street association laws introduced by the LNP had reduced serious violent crimes by gang members who previously gathered in large groups.
“Things like extortion went up because people were brave enough to say they were being extorted.”
Southport Chamber of Commerce president Laird Marshall said business operators supported a continuing strong police focus on gangs.
“They have to keep the tempo and the pressure and have the budget to do so,” he said.
“The police say there are direct and indirect links between bikies and a lot of crime. That is not always obvious to the man on the street. The links are the key.
“I’d rather believe them than a politician (in the government) who thinks it is not an issue.”
Gold Coast Tourism chief executive Martin Winter also called for the “good work” to continue which began with the appointment of the Rapid Action and Patrols group.
“The tourism industry were leaders in demanding that the State Government clean up the bikies’ menace on the Gold Coast,” Mr Winter said.
“It is critical that the momentum continues for the growth of tourism.”
Mayor Tom Tate remained confident the Government would retain a strong police presence on the tourist strip.
“There is no concern from me as mayor as I have every confidence the police commissioner will commit the relevant resources to address crime and community safety in our city and across the state,” he said.
Shadow Attorney General Ian Walker described the Byrne report as a “secret report” which had cost $6 million in the past six months.
“We make no apology for our focus on criminal gangs,” he said. “As you know, that derived from a circumstance down on the Gold Coast where bikies were attacking the police station.
“You either stand up to that or you let it go ahead.
“We gave the police all of the resources and laws that they needed to tackle criminal gangs. But all the other resources were there for them as well to tackle all sorts of crime.”