AUSTRALIA - Labor pledges bikie law support

OFF THE WIRE
A Labor pledged yesterday to support the Government's anti- association laws designed to smash bikie gangs but warned the legislation could be struck down by the High Court unless Opposition amendments were adopted.
The Criminal Organisation Control Bill entered the first stages of debate in State Parliament yesterday after the Government introduced it late last year.
Shadow attorney-general John Quigley said the Opposition agreed with 90 per cent of the proposed legislation, which would allow a judge to declare bikie gangs criminal organisations and prevent members associating with each other.
But he said Labor believed allowing a judge to make declarations on "mere suspicion", paving the way for mandatory jail for members of declared organisations, would render the Bill unconstitutional. "We will be making small amendments with a view to securing its constitutionality," Mr Quigley said.
"What Labor wants to see is robust laws in relation to the control of criminal organisations.
"What the Attorney-General wants to see is a great big headline saying he's the toughest in Australia. By going the extra yard he risks the whole Bill.
"If our amendments are not accepted, we won't oppose the Bill, we'll let the Government run the gauntlet in the High Court."
Mr Porter said "all the best advice" indicated the Bill would withstand constitutional challenge.
"Having listened intently to Mr Quigley, so far I cannot see that he has explained why our legal advice is incorrect," he said.
Mr Porter later told Parliament he would not accept any amendments that would adjust the structure of the Bill.
Premier Colin Barnett said police needed extra powers to disrupt bikie gangs.
Under the proposed laws, breaches of "control orders" preventing members of declared organisations from associating with each other would be punishable by two years jail
for a first offence and five years for a second. A new offence of instructing an offence for the benefit of a criminal organisation would attract 20 years jail.

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