Australasian Biker News
Concern over proposed SA bikie bill
By Simon Royal
There are fears South Australia's proposed anti-bikie bill could create
more offenders, due to the strict prohibitions on people associating
with bikie gang members.
Organisations that work with drug addicts and alcoholics say many of
their clients fall into that category.
The bill places strict prohibitions on people associating with members
of proscribed criminal organisations.
If a person has more than six contacts with such a person in a year,
they will have committed an offence.
The Government says the bill is aimed at breaking outlaw bikie gangs,
and their role in crimes such as drug trafficking.
Mullla Sumner runs the Aboriginal Sobriety Group, and fears his work is
threatened by the proposed anti-bikie bill.
"In our organisation we work with alcoholics and drug addicts," he said.
"Now we are working with so-called undesirables everyday of our life, so
where does that put us?"
The Government argues if you have done nothing wrong you have nothing to
fear.
Exemptions are granted for church, professional and voluntary
organisations whose work brings them into contact with proscribed groups
and people.
Close family members are also exempt.
Mr Sumner says that is fine for Anglo-Saxon families, but it shows the
Government is clueless about how Aboriginal families work.
"Like my uncle, my mother's brother or my father's brother, they are
like a father to me, same with aunties, they are like a mother to us,"
he said.
"Our first cousins they are like brothers and sisters to us so they are
really important to us."
Biker concern
The Longriders, a group of bikers who have turned to God, are also
concerned with the legislation.
Part of their function is to to take religion to outlaw bikie gangs.
Both founding members, Shaun McGrath and Mack Hayes, have criminal
records.
Mr McGrath says he is worried his past might affect his work with
others.
"While we are on church property all activities are covered under that
legislation," he said.
"But if I see one of these people down the street am I not meant to talk
to them, and if I have to leave the premises and go and talk to somebody
about something is that covered or not?"
Mack Hayes says the restrictions are unfair.
"It's bloody un-Australian and it is not a fair go," he said.
Both the Longriders and the Aboriginal Sobriety Group say no-one should
be guilty by association.
Unwitting offenders
Victims Rights Commissioner Michael O'Connell is concerned innocent
people could unwittingly commit an offence.
"Well the general principle of the bill, that is to reduce organised
criminal activity, what is unclear to me is the extent to which this
bill will have a net widening possibility," he said.
"In other words, how innocent people might be caught up.
"As Commissioner that would concern me, the international declaration of
principals of justice for victims of crime also covers victims of abuse
of power."