Liberals get tough on bikie gangs
Stephen McMahon and Mark Buttler
From: Herald Sun
BIKIE clubhouses would be dismantled
and sold in a crackdown on criminal
motorcycle gangs under tough new
laws proposed by the State
Opposition.
The move would allow police to close
down the fortified clubhouses of
gangs engaged in illegal activity
and sell the properties, with money
being returned to the state's
coffers.
The proposed new anti-fortification
laws, based on similar legislation
in the Northern Territory, could
jeopardise the clubs' ownership of
property valued at millions of
dollars.
In an election year pledge, the
Liberal-National coalition will give
the Supreme Court new and stronger
powers to outlaw bikie gangs and
close down the clubhouses, some of
which police believe provide a
shelter for criminal activity.
Victoria has at least 21 bikie
clubs. Among the strongest are the
Hells Angels, Bandidos, Rebels and
Outlaws.
The most recent additions include
the Finks and the Comancheros, who
have moved in from interstate.
Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said
the State Government's soft approach
on law and order had turned Victoria
into a safe haven for bikies.
"Victorian families need protection
from bikie gangs engaged in serious
criminal activity - such as drug
production and trafficking,
violence, blackmail, extortion,
arson and intimidation - who
represent a major threat to public
safety and order," he said.
"John Brumby's weakness on law and
order has turned Victoria into a
haven for criminal bikie gangs."
Criminal barrister Wayne Baffsky,
who has represented NSW clubs in
their fight against that state's
bikie laws, described the Liberal
plan as ridiculous.
Mr Baffsky, who has also represented
the Hells Angels in court cases,
said the move would set a terrible
precedent.
There was a risk of it driving clubs
further underground, he said.
AAP
And people wonder why I wont vote for any of the idiots...