OFF THE WIRE
A handful of bikie clubhouses in Melbourne could have their fort-like walls torn
down under new laws aimed at organised crime groups.
Victoria Police
Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton says the new powers will stop criminals from
destroying evidence while authorised police searches are delayed by
heavily-fortified building entrances.
Under legislation introduced into
state parliament on Wednesday, Victorian police will be able get a court order
to have the fortifications, such as walls and other defences, removed from bikie
gang property.
'That gives us the opportunity to get into these premises
faster and avoid any destruction of evidence,' Mr Ashton said.
But
officers will have to convince a magistrate that the buildings are being used
for criminal activity before such permission is granted.
The outlaw
motorcycle gang will then have three months to comply with the court
order.
Mr Ashton hopes police will be able to use the laws within weeks
if they are passed by parliament.
If this happens, bikie gangs like the
Bandidos and the Hells Angels are at the 'top of the list', he says.
Laws
cracking down on criminal bikie groups in South Australia and NSW were struck
down by the High Court after successful challenges by bikie gangs.
But
Attorney-General Robert Clark is confident Victoria's legislation will withstand
any High Court challenge.
Police say the laws will apply to any organised
group, not just bikies.
'In the future, we won't be just restricting it
to bikie gangs but we do need to show criminal links,' Mr Ashton
said.
There will be penalties of up to two years' jail for obstructing
the removal of fortifications that have been ordered by the courts to be
removed.
Premier Denis Napthine says criminal bikie gangs will have
nowhere to hide under the new laws.
'This is a very real crackdown on
criminal organisations and criminal bikie gangs in this state,' he
said.
http://bigpondnews.com/articles/National/2013/04/17/Bikies_clubhouses_to_be_targeted_in_Vic_864411.html
