Bikie laws are ruining my business
AN IPSWICH motorcycle store owner says the Newman Government's anti-bikie laws are riding him out of business.
The Government argues the laws target organised criminal gangs, not law-abiding motorbike riders.
But Dan Buechse, who owns and operates Custom Motorcycle Company at Booval, says the laws have put a brake on business.
"I've been here since 2006 and it's been perfect all the time. As soon as he put these rules across, half my business was gone," he said. "This month now has been just shocking. I'm starting to panic. My money's run out.
"Most of my customers are normal dudes. The laws were meant to target outlaw bikies.
"There's that many people out there who think they're going to be locked up. They're just out riding with their mates."
He said one of his customers wanted to sell her bike because she was scared to go out riding.
"She went out riding one day and got pulled up 10 times by 10 different coppers," he said.
"That's what's happening now. This Campbell Newman, all these rules he's making for everything are killing everyone's businesses.
"All the country pubs around Ipswich are saying the same thing; they're all hurting and getting no business because of what he's done. There used to be a couple of hundred bikes go out on a weekend and buy food and drinks and whatever. Now, nothing.
"I think the laws are stupid. There was plenty of laws in the first place. I've got no problem if they catch a couple of Hell's Angels with guns and drugs; lock them up in jail. But leave the normal people alone."
Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said the laws target only members of organised criminal gangs and law-abiding motorbike riders had nothing to worry about.
"There are many legitimate groups that do great work in our community and we want them to continue doing that," Mr Bleijie said. "More than 700 gang members and associates have been arrested on more than 1500 charges including drugs, extortion and violence offences. No one has been arrested for being a recreational motorbike rider."