Worrying times

NEW ANTI-BIKE LAWS IN QUEENSLAND ARE YOUR CONCERN NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE IN AUSTRALIA.

One IRG member said. "I thought we were supposed to be developing as a society not going backwards."

 

 Banned people, organisations and places?!? No more than three people wearing the same clothes, choosing the same transport allowed to gather in the same place at the same time? No Bail! Guilt by association! Guilty till proven innocent?!?

 

 What a nightmare! Did I wake up in Australia in 2013.

 

 Damien

 

ATTORNEY-General Jarrod Bleijie appeals for understanding as he admits law abiding motorbike riders will be affected by new laws banning outlaw bikies from riding in groups.

Police will target groups of three or more outlaw motorcyclists riding together under new anti-bikie laws going to State Cabinet today.

Cabinet will also examine laws allowing police to stop, search and photograph anyone in bikie club colours.

Attorney General Jarrod Bleijie said while the legislation will target only criminal motorcycle gang members, he did flag consequences for other bike riders.

"There will be some disruption to law abiding motorbike riders but we want to avoid the disruption as best we can but the police have a job to do," said Mr Bleijie.

"They have to stop particularly the people on the Gold Coast, and unfortunately there will be some inconvenience caused."

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said it was their job to identify and intercept members of criminal motorcycle gangs.

"We make no excuses and I'm sorry for any inconvenience to the general public but if they've done nothing wrong they've got nothing to fear from our people," said Mr Stewart.

Motorcycle Riders Association of Queensland president Chris Mearns yesterday said members had already experienced "harassment" by police as a result of the bikie crackdown.

"It is of great concern to the MRAQ how the government seems hell bent on going straight for the addition of more powers to the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act every time a law and order issue is raised," said Mr Mearns.

The new laws would complement increased powers Premier Campbell Newman is expected to introduce for the Crime and Misconduct Commission, which would compel bikies to answer questions.

Anti-racketeering laws and laws banning outlaw motorcycle gangs similar to those in NSW are also expected. Some proposals could contain a one-year sunset clause.

The laws, part of the Newman Government's attempts to drive outlaw gangs from Queensland, have angered recreational bikers who yesterday slammed them as "ridiculous" and "unnecessary".

Mr Bleijie said the legislation would help put an end to bikies' "annual runs".

"There's the old saying about power in numbers and these criminal motorcycle gangs try to use their numbers to strike fear in the community," he said.

"Limiting their ability to ride in big groups would make running their criminal enterprises more difficult and it would help prevent the kind of mass intimidation we saw at Broadbeach," he said.

It is understood Mr Newman has personally briefed NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell on the proposals and wants him to help stop bikies crossing the border as reinforcements.

Mr O'Farrell met NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione over the weekend to map out what NSW can do to back Mr Newman in ensuring bikie reinforcements don't come north.

The new laws will be considered by Cabinet today, with final announcements expected in the next fortnight.

I don't like where this is heading, a loss of freedom and rights.    This being driven by the media.