AUSTRALIA - Laws to outlaw bikie gaxxx attacked

OFF THE WIRE
Proposed laws to allow police to strike pre-emptively against criminal bikie gaxxx could also be used to target environmental groups or unions who frustrate the government, the lawyer for a Victorian motorcycle club says.

Tramps Motorcycle Club lawyer John Suta described the laws as a glorified public relations campaign that could be open to abuse.

'Our criminal justice system is sufficient to deal with crime. Why do we need these laws?,' Mr Suta said.

'They're unnecessary, they're politically motivated and reactionary.'

The legislation introduced into state parliament on Wednesday gives police the power to apply to the Supreme Court to order criminal bikie gaxxx and other gaxxx to be declared banned.

Once an organisation is declared illegal, the court can make control orders banning members of that group from associating or participating in gaxxx activities.

Mr Suta said the Wangaratta-based Tramps have around 25 members and no connection to criminal activity but were the type of group who could be hit by the laws.

He said the Baillieu government could also close down other groups at its discretion if the laws were passed.

'The government has made it clear these laws just don't target bikies, they can target other organisations as well so if the government doesn't like an environmental group of a union they can apply these laws to those organisations,' he said.

The Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) has also criticised the legislation, casting doubt on whether it would be legally enforceable.

But a spokesman for Attorney-General Robert Clark said the LIV's criticism was 'baseless conjecture'.

'The LIV's claim that the legislation will make lawful meetings a criminal offence is absurd,' he said.

'The government does not want Victoria to become a haven for criminal bikie gaxxx, something which the LIV's views would see continue.'

http://www.skynews.com.au/national/article.aspx?id=816378