Australian anti-bikie laws 'bound to backfire'

OFF THE WIRE
BRISBANE - A criminal defence lawyer says Queensland's second wave of anti-bikie laws will backfire and burn taxpayers' pockets.
Gang members will be barred from security, tow truck, construction, pawnbroking, motor dealing and book-keeping licences under the laws, which are expected to pass parliament later today.
Criminal defence lawyer Debbie Kilroy says the laws will hurt families the most because supposed bikie associates will be banned from working in industries they have been legitimately employed in for decades.
Ms Kilroy says it's outrageous the government is pushing through the legislation when so many people will be affected.
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbint/315894123-australian-anti-bikie-laws--bound-to-backfire-

 Attorney General laws will ‘drag bikies into crime’

BIKIES could be forced into crime if they're banned from working in traditional and common jobs, civil libertarians warn. Queensland Council for Civil Liberties chairman Terry O'Gorman said the ever-tightening anti-bikie laws, supposedly designed to clamp down on criminal gang activity, were restricting bikies from the only jobs they knew. "With current or ex-bikies banned from working in the areas of tattoo parlours or holding or obtaining licences or employment in the liquor, security, tow truck, building and construction industries, pawnbrokers, bookmakers and second-hand motor dealers, this has the effect that ex-bikies will effectively be unable to obtain employment and so not be able to take up the Premier's call to lead law-abiding lives," Mr O'Gorman said. The comments come as Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie introduced additional laws designed to drive bikies out of those other industries "to make Queensland safer". "The criminal gangs have their fingers in many pies and target unsuspecting Queenslanders, but their members will soon be banned from having or applying for licences in a range of industries," he said. "We promised Queenslanders that we would get tough on crime." http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/a-g-laws-dragbikies-into-crime/2091207/