OFF THE WIRE
Lobby groups, unions, lawyers and motorcycle clubs are pushing for an inquiry into the State Government’s proposed anti-association laws, amid concerns the legislation could unfairly target minority groups, union members and children.
The United Motorcycle Clubs of WA wants the legislation referred to an Upper House committee for an inquiry into the “hidden effects” it will have on children, Aboriginals and cultural minorities.
Attorney General Christian Porter said yesterday the legislation aimed to “destroy the core operations of outlaw motorcycle gxxgs and other criminal organisations in WA” and there was “no conceivable way” the laws would affect children or organisations which did not engage in criminal activity.
“This is extremely important legislation which will allow ordinary West Australians to go about their business without the threat and terror of being caught in the crossfire of the illegal activities of criminal organisations, such as outlaw motorcycle gxxgs,” he said.
“If the United Motorcycle Clubs of WA are against this legislation, they are essentially allowing such terrifying events as the recent double shooting at a Gold Coast shopping centre to continue unabated.”
As the legislation faces its final Parliamentary scrutiny when it is debated in the Legislative Council this week, members of the UMCWA and lobby group Search for Your Rights were last night due to meet with unions, Aboriginal elders and community and advocacy groups in opposition to the proposed laws.
UMCWA spokesman Peter Godfree said motorcycle clubs were being used a scapegoat for the “totalitarian” and wide-reaching legislation.
“In the whole 160 pages of the Bill, the word bikie is not mentioned once which means there is a very broad range of our community that it can be used against,” he said.
“Anyone who has a criminal record could have a control order put on them and a law which takes away any basic human right, like this does, is not the right answer to a law and order problem.”
Criminal defence lawyer Shash Nigam, who attended last night’s meeting, said the proposed laws were “dangerous” and it was highly unlikely they would minimise crime while Socialist Alliance WA co-convenor Alex Bainbridge said they would punish people who had committed no crime.
“This legislation could be used against many other community groups, including trade unions, social and environment activists and others,” Mr Bainbridge said.
“There is no way to improve the anti-association laws currently before Parliament, they must be rejected outright.”
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, CFMEU, Maritime Union and Transport Workers Union have also today come out in opposition to the proposed laws.
Mr Porter said there was no reason for the Bill to go to an Upper House Committee, saying it would only delay the process.
“This legislation provides the right balance in terms of giving our police and justice system the tools they need to fight organised crime, as well as ensuring groups who do not engage in criminal activity are not caught by the anti-association provisions,” he said.
“For the sake of community safety in WA, it is crucial that this Bill is passed and we are confident that it will be shortly.”
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/13570216/call-for-inquiry-into-anti-bikie-laws/
