LICENSING laws are to be
changed permanently so no NT pub can serve bikies wearing colours ever
again.The
NT News yesterday
revealed an emergency directive
was rushed through to stop the 200 Hells Angels now heading to Darwin from
having a beer in uniform.
But it only lasts until April 11.
READ our story from last
year:
Bikies warned - no colours
Business Minister David Tollner has
recommended the motion to Cabinet and the move will become a permanent rule
for all pubs as soon as it passes Parliament.
The move could see young backpackers trying to throw
bikies out of pubs.
Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers union branch
secretary Matthew Gardiner said such laws could cause tension.
"It puts people in confrontational positions for no real
reason," he said. The Hells Angels are on a run to Darwin for a bikie
convention on April 5.
Kulgera Roadhouse's Tina Gausden said some had asked about
taking off their colours, but they had been polite about it.
"The guys that have come through here have all been very
well-mannered and friendly," she said.
Ms Gausden said she had only seen "dribs and drabs" of the
200-strong contingent at her premises, 21km from the South Australian
border, and was wondering where they all were.
Operation Sitara Commander Wayne Harris said outlaw
motorcycle gangs were a concern as they were involved in extortion, murders,
stealing and drugs.
Cmdr Harris said there had been significant trouble
interstate between the Hells Angels and other motor- cycle gangs.
The Hells Angels have a long-running feud with the
Bandidos, prompting Victoria's Barwon Prison to segregate club members in
its maximum security division.
The Finks of Alice Springs are allied to the Bandidos.
Cmdr Harris would not specify whether police were worried
about trouble with the Finks.
He said they were not expecting a clash with the Rebels,
or with outlaw motorcycle gangs in general, but hundreds of NT Police have
been mobilised to blockade the Hells Angels, setting up multiple roadblocks.