There will be Bikes, There will be Booze, There will be Blood!!

Thursday 31 October 2013

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.

 

Saturday 26 October 2013

the stuff coming out of QLD



On 15 October 2013, the Queensland Government introduced legislation to the
Parliament which can only be said to be shocking, draconian and unprecedented.
This paper serves to spell out in plain English some of the highlights and lowlights of
the Government's decision to introduce this legislation and their proposed crackdown
on what they term Criminal Motor Cycle Gangs. This term was invented very recently
to replace another Government invented term of Outlaw Motor Cycle Gang. It seems
the Government is determined to pass laws which, on the face of it, are neither
constitutional nor compliant with anti discrimination laws in Australia.
 
The Laws seem open to challenge on any number of fronts.
 
Rather than go through the lengthy process to prove an organisation is involved in
"serious criminal activity", the Government has decided they can simply declare
certain groups to be "criminal organisations", and bypass the power of the Supreme
Court.
The Queensland Government, through enacting a regulation, has declared the
following groups to be criminal organisations:
Bandidos MC, Black Uhlans MC, Coffin Cheaters MC, Comancheros MC,
Finks MC, Fourth Reich MC, Gladiators MC, Gypsy Jokers MC, Hells Angels
MC, Highway 61 MC, Iron Horseman MC, Life and Death MC, Lone Wolf
MC, Mobshitters MC, Mongols MC, Muslim Brotherhood Movement MC,
Nomads MC, Notorious MC, Odins Warriors MC, Outcasts MC, Outlaws MC,
Phoenix MC, Rebels MC, Red Devils MC, Renegades MC, Scorpions MC.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation
When the Finks MC contested the laws in the High Court the High Court said the
Supreme Court could declare a group a "criminal organisation", after and only after
proper material was placed before the Court and the Police went through a number of
checks and balances. This is different from the new laws. This is the Government saying they can declare any group a criminal organisation.     This will need to be contested in the High Court. Until the point is taken with the High Court the new laws will remain in force. Urgent action is required for those who value their rights.
Changes to the Criminal Code
The Government has introduced new Sections 60A, 60B and 60C. Section 60A makes
it an offence for participants in criminal organisations being knowingly present in
public places. The penalty is a minimum 6 months imprisonment to a maximum of 3
years imprisonment.
The elements of the offence for "unlawfully associating" are:-
A participant in a criminal organisation;
Is knowingly present in a public place;
with 2 or more other participants in a criminal organisation
 
To be a participant in a criminal organisation means, in effect, anyone who asserts,
declares or advertises his or her membership or association with the organisation (for
example colours or tattoos). It also includes a person who seeks to be a member or
associated with the organisation or a person who has been to more than 1 meeting of
the organisation.     A public place takes its normal meaning and includes places such as hotels, bars, sporting facilities, parks and the like.
Section 60B makes it an offence for a member, nominee or prospect, associate or
"hang around" to go to any of the premises set out in the schedule - essentially any
clubhouse. The penalty is a minimum of 6 months actual jail.
Section 60C makes it an offence to recruit new club members, and also carries the 6
month penalty.    These laws also apply to people in prison. All letters, phone calls and visits are likely to be monitored for evidence of recruiting and intelligence gathering.
Some scenarios to consider
Scenario 1
Persons A, B and C go to the Breakfast Creek Hotel. Person A and B are members of
a motorcycle club declared to be a criminal organisation. Person C is not a member of
any club. When they walk into the hotel they see, in another part of the hotel, persons
 
D, E and F. Person D is also a member of a declared club. Person Eisa nominee or
prospect for the club and person F is a "hang around". What happens?
Persons A, B, D, E and F commit an offence under Section 60A of the Criminal Code.
They must go to jail for 6 months as a minimum and up to 3 years. Person C commits
no offence.
If persons D, E and F are not on friendly terms and a fight breaks out, all 6 persons
may be charged with fighting in public (the offence of affray). This offence was
amended to carry a minimum penalty of 6 months jail and a maximum penalty of 7
years jail. If this happens, persons A, B, D, E and Fare liable to 6 months jail under
Section 60A (association), a further 6 months jail under Section 72 (affray) and a
further mandatory minimum of 15 years jail for being a participant in a criminal
organisation. If any of A, B, D, E or F are an office bearer of a declared criminal
organisation, a further period of 1 0 years imprisonment must be imposed.
So if person A is the vice president of his club, person B is not and person D is the
Sergeant of Arms of his club then Person A and D do a statutory minimum of 26 years
in prison. Person B, E and F are sentenced to a minimum of 16 years in prison. Person
C is sentenced to a period of 6 months imprisonment. The Court has no power what
so ever to impose any sentences other than these. This is the case even if person C
started the whole thing.
Scenario 2
Person A, Band Care going to have a BBQ. Person A is the Vice President of a Club.
Person B is a life long friend of person A and has been to the club house 3 times for a
social drink. Person C is a school teacher. They need a gas bottle for their BBQ so all
3 get in to person C's car and drive to 11 Frodshan Street Albion.   At the clubhouse, all 3 go to the backyard and retrieve an empty gas bottle which is to be taken and filled. Person A and B commit an offence under Section 60B of the Criminal Code and must serve a minimum of 6 months in prison. Person C commits no offence at all.   If they leave the club house and person A drives the motor vehicle, runs a red light and is chased by Police then he suffers the following:-
1. A fine of 100 penalty units or 100 days imprisonment (Section 754 of the
Police Powers and Responsibilities Act;
2. A charge of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle under Section 328A of the
Criminal Code and consequent periods of imprisonment;
3. As a member of a declared organisation a mandatory period of a further 15
years m pnson;
4. Person C's motor vehicle gets impounded and then crushed.
Scenario 3
Person A is driving person B' s motor vehicle. Person B is a member of a declared
organisation and the motor vehicle is registered to him. Person A is not a member,
nominee, prospect or hang around. The Police can (Section 29 of the Police Powers
and Responsibilities Act) stop the car, detain person A, search them and hold them
with out a warrant if they suspect person A is a participant in a declared criminal
organisation. If the Police do not believe person A when he states his full and correct
name, they can hold and detain him until such time as they can confirm his identity.
Vicious Lawless Associate
The Laws in relation to additional imprisonment apply if you commit an offence at
the time of being a "participant". It is not all offences, there is a list of them, however
it covers a greater percentage of common offences such a affray, riot, prostitution
offences, assault occasioning bodily harm, serious assault, rape, kidnapping, stalking,
stealing, robbery, extortion, burglary, receiving tainted property and almost any drug
offence and money laundering. If you commit any of those offences and at the time of
committing the offence and are proved to be a member or associate of a criminal
organisation you are declared a "Vicious Lawless Associate". This brings in the 15
years cumulative imprisonment without parole for being a participant and a further 10
years (in other words 25 years) if you are an office bearer.  An offence of murder committed by a participant in a declared organisation would see a person sentenced to an absolute minimum non parole period of 35 years for a member or 45 years for an officer bearer.
There is now a presumption against granting bail for anyone charged as a participant
(member, hang around, associate). This applies whether you are charged with a
criminal offence (eg. an assault), a simple offence (possession of tainted property) or a
regulatory offence (shoplifting).  If you are granted bail you must surrender your passport. There is no longer a right to bail. We are of the view that is unconstitutional and unlawfully discriminates against a group of persons who, at the time of being charged, can only be presumed to be not
guilty.
Tattoo parlours
In his opening statement to parliament last night, the Premier indicated the
Government had the intention of shutting motorcycle club members out of tattoo
parlours. The legislation suggests that owners or artists must obtain a license or permit
to conduct their business. They are subject to a "fit and proper person" test.  The Police can investigate whether someone is a "fit and proper person". If they decide you are not a "fit and proper person" they do not have to give reasons why they
made that decision.
The Attorney General then told parliament that the Tattoo Parlours Bill introduces a
licensing regime for body tattoo parlours and tattooists. He said the first phase of this
legislation will ban members of criminal organisations from owning, operating or
working in body art tattoo parlours.
 
The licensing scheme for the tattoo parlours commences on 6 January 2014. The
compliance with the new Laws commences 1 July 2014. In other words you have
until 1 July 2014 to obtain the relevant permits and licenses. The Government can't
stop someone from earning their livelihood in this way. The mere membership of a
club ought not determine whether you can earn a living or not. This issue should be
challenged.
In Summary, our best advice is, as always, don't make admissions to Police. Assume
they are recording every conversation, including in jail cells.  A person should not admit, say, claim or boast that the person is a member or associated with, or an office bearer of any of the declared organisations.  Do not say that anyone else is a member or office bearer either.
We expect police to immediately start serving notices to attend at the CMC to answer
questions. If this happens to you, or anyone you know, legal advice is imperative. The
CMC has even greater power now than ever before, and terms of imprisonment and
immediate detention can occur.
These new laws attempt to prevent weekly meetings, club runs, charity events and
tattoo shows for the time being, and until they are properly challenged in court by
specialists in the area.
We remain available at your convenience to assist with advice and representation.
Andrew Bale (Accredited Specialist, Criminal Law)
Stuart Bale (Consultant)
John Cook (Associate)
Evan Corcoran (Associate)
Eric Halden (Associate).