Minister Kate Jones says government’s stance on bikies won’t change after shock collapse of Broadbeach brawl trial
- Gold Coast Bulletin
- May 29, 2015
Cameron Russell and Mario Fortunato leave the Southport Magistrates Court.
A BANDIDOS spokesman says the Newman government used
the club as a scapegoat to pass new bikie laws in the frenzy following the
Broadbeach brawl.
The comments follow the bombshell acquittal of Peter Mauric and the subsequent collapse of the second Broadbeach brawl trial this week.
Liberal MPs raised concerns that it would be a ‘catastrophe’ for the bikie laws to be watered-down following the shock decision.
But Grey Norman, the national liaison for the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, said he trusted the ALP would work through its review of the VLAD laws in a far more constructive fashion.
“Newman simply seized the opportunity to whip up a political frenzy and used the Bandido Motorcycle Club as scapegoats to introduce these new laws,” he said.
A still from video footage of the Broadbeach bikie brawl. Credit: A Current Affair
“Sadly for all concerned, and in particular the ratepayers, this ploy was doomed from the start.”
Mr Norman said the acquittal of Peter Mauric illustrated the grandstanding used by the former government did not reflect what actually occurred.
“The Liberal Party member Mr Rob Molhoek suggested yesterday that to relax the laws would be catastrophic.”
“My response would be to look into the recent conduct of his own party over the past 12 months before passing judgment.”
Tourism Minister Kate Jones weighed into the debate to reaffirm the government’s stance while visiting the Gold Coast yesterday.
A still from video footage of the Broadbeach bikie brawl. Credit: A Current Affair
“At the moment the legislation stands as is and, obviously, Labor made it clear during the election that we would review that,” she said.
“But we’re zero tolerance when it comes to bikies — the Premier has been on the record on that many, many times.
“I’ll have some idea (about the government’s intentions) when it comes to Cabinet.”
Ms Jones said she was not across the detail of the court results, so could not comment on them.
“Court cases are always done on the merits of the case and I think people are sick of politicians commenting on the courts,” she said.
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath declined to comment on the Broadbeach brawl cases or any impact on the VLAD law review.
While the second Broadbeach brawl trial unravelled on Wednesday, another six men are still listed to stand trial in two separate hearings.
Tevita Bula.
Those who pleaded guilty in relation to the Broadbeach brawl and the next five men listed to stand trial will be mentioned in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.
Another man from second trial, Tevita Bula, who is yet to enter a plea will also be mentioned in court on the same day.