Labor pushes to bulldoze local bikie clubs

OFF THE WIRE
Australia
Jeff Whalley | October 16th, 2010

FORTRESS-LIKE bikie club houses that dot Geelong could be bulldozed under tough new laws pushed by Labor.

The plans put forward by the State Government will allow police to destroy fortifications that barricade motorcycle gang club houses.

Geelong MP Ian Trezise said residents were sick of living beside the menacing looking headquarters.

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"I'm aware of people in Breakwater, for example, who are worried that one of the motorbike clubs have headquarters out there and it distresses them," Mr Trezise said.

"Locals were obviously nervous when we saw shootings take place in October 2008."

Mr Trezise said it was something local police had been lobbying for.

"We've seen instances of criminal acts. We've had shootings in Geelong. It is not only a concern to Victoria Police, but to the State Government and the community at large," he said.

Bikie-related crimes have long haunted Geelong:

IN 2007, the Bandidos clubhouse in Bayldon Court, Breakwater, was peppered with more than 30 bullets.

The same year the Rebels Motorcycle clubhouse in Edols Place, North Geelong, was set alight.

IN 2008, Bandido Ross Brandt was shot dead outside the gang headquarters.

Under the reforms, police who suspect clubs are used for crime can get a court order to remove fortifications.

The law will come into effect next year if Labor wins the November 27 election. There will be no change to organised crime legislation to stop bikies associating.

Opposition leader Ted Baillieu yesterday said Labor had been soft on crime for 11 years. Mr Baillieu said a Liberal government would outlaw the gangs altogether.

"These gangs are now using Victoria as a haven to escape tough laws introduced in other states," Mr Baillieu said.

"Despite John Brumby's cynical election-eve attempt to copy the Coalition, his plans fall well short of the Coalition's tough plan to protect Victorian families from these criminal gangs and the threat they represent to law and order."