NSW government funds bikie TV show
18:08 AEDT Wed May 9 2012
NSW taxpayers' money is being used to fund a television show glorifying gang violence instead of helping police tackle bikie crime, the opposition says.
Arts Minister George Souris announced in November the government would contribute $150,000 to the production of Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms.
The series focuses on the 1984 Milperra massacre when seven people were killed in a shootout between the Comancheros and Bandidos in a pub car park in suburban Sydney.
Opposition Leader John Robertson says the government has got its priorities wrong as Sydney deals with its worst spate of shootings in a decade.
"At the same time Sydney has been plagued by out of control shootings, the O'Farrell government has been funding a television series glorifying bikie violence," Mr Robertson said in a statement.
"The premier has also refused to confirm whether any bikies were paid as consultants as part of the production.
"The people of western and southwestern Sydney who have been forced to live through 96 shootings ... should not be forced to pay for a television series glorifying this kind of violence."
In question time on Wednesday, Premier Barry O'Farrell said he would investigate the claims.
"I won't accept it on its merits but I'll get it looked at," he said.
