A BIKIE turf war predicted by police will damage the Gold Coast’s tourism sector and destroy the city’s international reputation, says former tourism minister, Jann Stuckey.
Her comments came after senior police officer Supterintendent Jim Keogh yesterday revealed three outlaw motorcycle clubs, Finks, Mongols and Hells Angels, were preparing to go to war if the state’s tough anti-bikie laws were watered down.
Superintendent Keogh and other senior officers have since been gagged and warned to stay silent.
The State Government’s taskforce on Organised Crime Legislation is today due to release its final report from the Wilson Inquiry which looked into the precedent-setting Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment laws, introduced in 2013.
The government has already flagged that it wants changes to the Act.
Gold Coast Tourism boss Martin Winter said repealing the laws “would be a mistake” and urged the Government not to let organised crime gain a foothold.
“We strongly urge the current government to maintain the laws as they stand because clearly have worked and there is no place in our society for criminal behaviour,” he said.
“The reputation of the Gold Coast as a safe, friendly and peaceful holiday destination is paramount and a core to our brand position.
“The Gold Coast tourism industry lobbied hard to clean up organised crime conducted by bikie gangs a number of years ago
“We were very pleased when the previous State Government introduced laws which came down heavily on offenders.”
Ms Stuckey said her constituents were also concerned bikie extortion and violence would return to the Coast.
“(Tourism) Minister (Kate) Jones is missing in action on this issue and she needs to show she is championing the state’s $23 billion tourism industry,” she said.
“We certainly don’t want to see our reputation diminish with a return of criminal motorcycle gang activity and we want to maintain the momentum.
“Since the laws were enacted we have witnessed a dramatic reduction in these types of gang
activities on the Gold Coast and across Queensland.”
Ms Jones said the government knew community safety was vital for tourism on the Gold Coast.
“That’s why our government will always take a zero tolerance approach to organised crime,” she said.
The Government is due to discuss the taskforce’s report at Cabinet on April 4.
“The Taskforce on Organised Crime Legislation was established by the Palaszczuk Government as promised at the 2015 state election,” Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said.
“The commitment, Keeping Our Community Safe, will implement the government’s “zero tolerance” stance against every element of organised crime.
“The government has zero tolerance when it comes to outlaw motorcycle gangs.”