Lanai Vasek
theaustralian.com.au
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has called on the Gillard government to immediately implement national laws against outlaw bikie gangs following the sixth shooting in Sydney this week.
Amid accusations by the Gillard government that NSW was lagging on national productivity reforms, Mr O'Farrell said he was "disappointed" Julia Gillard had not done more to champion Australia-wide bikie-gang laws.
Premier O'Farrell said outlaw motorcycle gangs operated without regard for state borders.
"We saw under Prime Minister (John) Howard after the Port Arthur massacre that a federal government that is motivated and that wants to show leadership can take tough and speedy action to crack down in these sorts of areas," he said.
"We need to ensure that there are nationally consistent laws for outlaw motorcycle gangs across all states.
The High Court ruled previous legislation in NSW targeting the groups "invalid".
Mr O'Farrell said he had written to Julia Gillard following the High Court ruling in June last year urging her to push for national laws targeting motorcycle gangs.
The Premier said he received a response from the Prime Minister in September to say the matter would be referred to the committee of Attorneys-General.
He said the move fell well short of the action required.
The latest shooting in Sydney occurred last night when at least two bullets were fired at a home in Yennora in the city's west.
A mum and her two daughters, aged 16 and nine, were inside at the time but were unhurt.
