Bikie gang in inner city gun battle

At least 15 shots were fired in the gun battle among about a dozen men in three cars.

Security vision shows some of the men chasing each other on foot while firing and bystanders diving clear of a speeding car on a footpath.

Police were investigating if the suspects were linked to the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang and the Middle East Boys street gang.

The shooting has sparked a political debate over anti-bikie laws that the Government says are being delayed by "Mickey Mouse" amendments.

Four other shootings in the city in the past year have involved 10 victims but no one was injured in yesterday's shooting, on the busy Gouger St restaurant strip at 1.20am.

Detective Superintendent Des Bray said it was lucky no one was caught in the crossfire. He could not rule out revenge as a motive.

"It was only good luck no innocent members of the public or bystanders were killed or seriously injured," the Crime Gang Task Force chief said.

"You've got three vehicles in a popular nightspot with each of those vehicles carrying people armed with semi-automatic weapons. One shot is frightening, let alone 15."

The proposed anti-gang Bill, now in the Upper House, would give police unprecedented powers to crack down on bikie gangs and their associates.

Powers include anti-association orders for gang members, banning bikies from specific locations and making it easier to confiscate bikies' assets.

Attorney-General Michael Atkinson said the Bill, which the Government wants in place by July 1, was being held up by "Mickey Mouse" amendments by Greens MP Mark Parnell.

"My message to Mark Parnell is to get on and pass this Bill," he said. "Don't obstruct it with more than 100 Mickey Mouse amendments.

To the Liberal Opposition, don't indulge this infantile behaviour by the Greens which is holding up the law necessary to crack down on outlaw motorcycle gangs."

Mr Parnell agreed with the Government about being serious on crime but said the proposed laws went too far.

"Of course we need powers and resources with the police to deal with organised crime and bikie crime but that doesn't mean we have to throw out centuries-old human rights in the process," he said.

"The Bill makes it illegal for families to get together if one of those members is a bikie, a former bikie or some with a criminal record."

Opposition police spokesman David Ridgway said the Bill had the support of the Liberal Party. "The ball is in the Government's court to bring it on," he said.

"It's a bit cute to say it's been frustrated by amendments. That's what a democratic process is all about."

Yesterday's drama began when shots were fired in Gouger, Field and Wright streets about 1.20am. The hail of bullets sprayed a shop window, an alfresco dining area and hit at least one other car.

Supt Bray said the "precise motive is not clear".

"Some of those we suspect of being involved are known to us through their involvement in the drug trade and for their relationship with outlaw motorcycle groups," he said.

"There are a number of witnesses who are providing varying accounts of what occurred and those accounts differ somewhat . . . how it unfolded isn't exactly clear."

Police interviewed three people after stopping a white Mercedes four-wheel-drive, which had a smashed side window, on Hampstead Rd, Clearview.

The occupants were released without charge. Police also seized a black Chrysler sedan, parked in Wright St, which was hit by gunfire, and a silver Mazda 4WD, abandoned in Franklin St.

They were looking for a red or maroon Toyota Landcruiser, suspected of carrying gunmen.

Security vision shows one gunman chasing the Landcruiser, running between two cars parked outside Gaucho's restaurant. He put his hands on the bonnets.

Police have appealed for the cars' owners to come forward in the hope fingerprints could be lifted from their vehicles.

Auckland tourists Ivan Yukich and Jasmine Piplovic were at Gaucho's only hours before a bullet shattered the outdoor glass partition where they had been eating.

"It just shows it could be the wrong place, wrong time and it could be your lot," Mr Yukich said. "It is the last thing I would have expected to see in Adelaide".

The popular Gouger St strip is part of a police "target area" but some businesses say police need a stronger presence. "More police are needed.

They are here sometimes just never when they are needed," one eatery owner said.