Queensland Police will scrutinise any bike riders travelling in threes under new laws
- The Courier-Mail
- October 08, 2013
- 4 comments
Police carry out checks on motorcyclists in a joint Queensland/New South Wales border operation. Source: News Limited
The move has angered recreational bikers, who have branded them "ridiculous".
Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie yesterday confirmed that riders would not have to be in club colours to warrant police attention if they were in groups of three or more.
But only members of criminal motorcycle gangs would face prosecution under the laws making it an offence for them to gather in groups.
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Mr Bleijie said the legislation would help put an end to bikies' "annual runs".
"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.
"It would also ease the disruption they cause during their annual runs."
The draft laws are also expected to allow police to stop, search and photograph anyone in bikie club colours.
Currently, police have to have a warrant or reasonable suspicion the person is carrying drugs or a weapon to conduct a lawful search.
Other changes going to Cabinet today as part of proposed anti-racketeering laws will see bikies banned from specific locations - possibly even their own clubhouses - owning, operating or working in a tattoo parlour and wearing club colours in a licensed venue.
It is understood Premier Campbell Newman has personally briefed NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell on the proposals and wants him to help stop bikie reinforcements heading north to fight the laws.
The new moves would complement increased powers Mr Newman is also expected to introduce for the Crime and Misconduct Commission to require bikies to answer questions.
They are expected to be considered by Cabinet today with final announcements a week or fortnight away.
Motorcycle Riders Association of Queensland president Chris Mearns said the new laws were "ridiculous".
"There are over 500 social rider groups in Queensland and over 160,000 riders,'' he said. "A considerable number of these regularly go for rides with their group and friends and should not be subjected to such unwarranted interference. It is a complete nonsense to be allocating police resources to the harassment of these people."