OFF THE WIRE
BIKIE clubs from across Australia have agreed to work together in the face of mounting pressure from police armed with new legislation that will make it harder for the gxxgs to operate.Clubs from South Australia, Western Australia, NSW and Queensland met in Brisbane last week to discuss sharing funds and legal resources.
At a subsequent meeting of the United Motorcycle Council of NSW, held in western Sydney last night, the clubs began actively raising money to fund any potential legal challenge.
A four-page letter recently circulated among NSW's bikies said "the police are ramping up their attacks on the clubs" and "members need to step up to meet these challenges".
So seriously are they taking the threat that senior Hells Angels have consented to contact being made with the Nomads to offer assistance before the first court test of new "consorting" legislation this week. This is despite a feud between the clubs, which policeclaim is behind a series of shootings in Sydney.
Motorcycle clubs in Queensland are also fundraising for a potential legal challenge to a bid by the police to have the Finks gxxg declared a criminal organisation. If successful, this could prevent individual Finks meeting or visiting their clubhouse.
The letter, sent by the United Motorcycle Council to about 20 clubs across NSW, said that "concerted police attacks" meant clubs needed to change the way they operate in order to survive.
"The police are ramping up their attacks on the clubs," the letter said. "Their . . . behaviour is increasing and the amendments to the Crimes Act and the Tattoo Parlours Act are nothing short of disgraceful. The challenges are now much greater than before and members of the UMC need to step up to meet these challenges."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/bikie-clubs-agree-to-team-up-for-legal-fight-against-police-powers/story-e6frgczx-1226408335882
