Tougher Bikie gang laws for WA

[Jim Goose]

Ok, while this is a touchy subject please try and keep the political party names out of it !

I think these sorts of laws are VERY misguided and id like to know just how far reaching they are. Will it mean ALL bikie gangs are outlawed automatically? What about registered bike clubs? What if they disband their "gang" and then form a "legitimate" motor bike club complete with uniforms etc?


While i dont doubt there would be criminal activity in these gangs (and always have been), they are surely not 100% total criminals, but this sort of legislation is making them into ones just by being a member of a club.

While "guilt by association" laws have been around a long time, if your club/ gang or whatever has 100members there is no way in the world you could know what everyone is up to, legal or illegal.

WA to introduce tough new bikie laws

Updated November 13, 2011 14:13:10
Members of the Gypsy Jokers bikie club Photo: The WA Government believes its tough anti-bikie legislation will stand up to legal scrutiny. (Rob Hutchison: AAP)
Map: WA

Western Australia will attempt to introduce the toughest anti-bikie laws in the country.

The State Government is moving to have bikie gangs declared criminal organisations by a judge, which would mean members of those groups will be prohibited from associating with one another.

Breaching such an order would result in up to two years' jail for a first offence and up to five years behind bars for a second offence.
Punishments under the proposed laws

A breach of a control order granted by the Supreme Court would result in up to two years' jail for the first offence and five years for subsequent offences.
Participating in the activities of a criminal organisation would become a stand alone criminal offence, with up to five years in jail.
Anyone found to be instructing an offence for the benefit of a criminal organisation faces up to 20 years jail.
Recruiting members for a declared criminal organisation could result in up to five years in jail.
If a person allows their premises to be used for any organised crime, they will face up to two years jail.

Under the proposed laws, bikie gang members will also face harsher penalties than other members of the community for a range of other offences.

Authorities in New South Wales and South Australia have tried to introduce similar laws in the past, but failed after High Court appeals were lodged against them.

But WA's Attorney-General, Christian Porter, says lessons have been learnt from those experiences and he is confident the State Government's bill will withstand any legal challenges.

Mr Porter says the days are numbered for bikie gangs in WA.

"I, as a prosecutor and inside government, have seen what members of outlaw motorcycle gangs do, the way in which they have operated so successfully inside the great community of WA doing the most vile of acts," he said.

"I am absolutely passionate about this legislation being able to crack the back of those groups."

[1970galaxie]

How long will it be before they start picking on car clubs?

[Reaper8]

a bit of difference between a car club and a bikie club. bikies think they can do what they want. I have one live across the road and the thinks i have had to put up with i shouldnt have to. Im now looking at moving

[1970galaxie]

They are already picking on car enthusiasts.
Look at the cops waiting in carparks when there is a show or cruise on.
They might not be looking for drugs or firearms, but they are out there to keep us inline.

[JG67k]

If there anything like the law's theyv'e got in SA or trying
to get , it wont effect much except keep a few silk's and
QCs in work .Just like the anti hooning laws they can be
turned against the average Joe.

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by JG67k

If there anything like the law's theyv'e got in SA or trying
to get , it wont effect much except keep a few silk's and
QCs in work .Just like the anti hooning laws they can be
turned against the average Joe.

Don't knock the QC's though, in a defence and test case, it is they who may end up saving freedom; the right to free association and whatnot.

[Mont5.0]

Originally Posted by 1970galaxie

How long will it be before they start picking on car clubs?

Probably wont unless car clubs start manufacturing meth, extortion etc.

[Gobes32]

I wonder if they will give the Ulysses a hard time?

My old man knew a few bikies and they all swore that out of a club of 100 members, 90 were decent blokes, 7 or 8 would be wannabe gangsters and 2 or 3 were down right dangerous. As always, its the two or three bad seeds that will bring everyone else down.

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

Probably wont unless car clubs start manufacturing meth, extortion etc.

But stereotyping would suggest that all Skyline owners deal pills outside clubs. Sarcasm intended.

[Mont5.0]

Its well known what/where outlaw motorcycle gangs make their money. I cant believe they have got away with it for so long, Good on the Government for finally cracking down on these groups.

[Brent]

This argument has been around the traps before. As a resident in one of the most over-regulated countries around (yes, Australia), I hardly applaud the government writing another piece of legislation into the scriptures, and yes, the car clubs could be next. But geez, the bikie clubs......All good guys. God's own children. Salt of the earth. Would never stand on an ant. All that crap. This whole thing is either the world's biggest conspiracy against god loving pacificts, or somebody's gilding the lilly somewhat.....

[Dr Jekkyl]

Another political fix for a social problem........and this time the bikie gangs are the bogeymen.

When are govts going to try something other than prohibitive legislation?

[RSgerry]

Originally Posted by 1970galaxie

How long will it be before they start picking on car clubs?

my thoughts exactly. this is potentially the thin edge of of a very big and ugly wedge. first the 'criminal' bikies, then other gatherings where people may be getting together to engage in criminal behaviour, then gatherings, such as cruises, where some behave contrary to the law. i dont like these laws one bit, however, this particluar police minister has shown himself to be nothing more than completely incompetent, so we would be foolish to expect anything better.

[1970galaxie]

Does anyone old enough in WA remember when the police started to enforce 54B because of the gatherings down at Scarborough beach in the '70s?

[JG67k]

Originally Posted by Keepleft

Don't knock the QC's though, in a defence and test case, it is they who may end up saving freedom; the right to free association and whatnot.

Certaintly not knocking em, I agree with freedom , that's my gripe
surely there's laws availably now that could serve the purpose.
Bringing new laws that need testing is a huge waste in my mind.

[BHDOGS]

i dont think these laws go far enough i have a personal dislike of bikie gangs

[SpoolMan]

Drugs and ones race is an inappropriate post and or a controversial subject to use as discussion points.



Closed

Spend a couple of minutes and refresh the Site T/C here.
http://www.fordforums.com.au/announcement.php?f=5&a=2