BY: Nick Fogarty
Source: abc.net.au
Australia - New anti-gang laws could hurt regional tourism, say the
organisers of a motorcycle 'Freedom Ride' to the Victorian Parliament.
The organiser of a motorcycle 'Freedom Ride' to Victoria's Parliament
says new anti-gang legislation could harm tourism in states where it's
introduced.
Groups of motorcyclists and scooter riders are set to assemble at Parliament at 10am on Sunday, to protest against Queensland's Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Bill.
Dale Maggs said with the Napthine government now investigating the possibility of similar laws, Victorian tourism may suffer.
"If I was a charter or a motorcycle club of any size, I'd be writing to the tourism minister in any state that was introducing harsh laws to tell them that we won't be visiting your state," he said.
The new Queensland laws, which include stop-and-search powers for police and mandatory sentencing of 'vicious associates', have come under fire from recreational motorcyclists, lawyers and judges.
Mr Maggs said he had already heard of motorcyclists being targeted in Victoria.
"We've just had a recent funeral at one of ourlocal hotels where the wake was held there and the Ulysses (club) logo was told it wasn't welcome," he said.
"These are some of our senior motorcycle fraternity, judges, lawyers, my parents, and why should they be singled out because they have a motorcycle jacket?"
Mr Maggs said "99 per cent" of motorcycle club members were law-abiding citizens.
"The numbers of criminal elements in these clubs are no different than some in football clubs, there's one or two rogue people in all society that create problems for others," he said.
"This is just not a law that can affect motorcyclists or scooter riders throughout Australia, it can affect everybody.
"This will be a very big ride and it'll also tell those legislators that democracy shouldn't be messed with."
The Freedom Ride is backed by the Free Australia political party.
Hear more about why Dale Maggs organised the Freedom Ride in the audio player.
Groups of motorcyclists and scooter riders are set to assemble at Parliament at 10am on Sunday, to protest against Queensland's Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Bill.
Dale Maggs said with the Napthine government now investigating the possibility of similar laws, Victorian tourism may suffer.
"If I was a charter or a motorcycle club of any size, I'd be writing to the tourism minister in any state that was introducing harsh laws to tell them that we won't be visiting your state," he said.
The new Queensland laws, which include stop-and-search powers for police and mandatory sentencing of 'vicious associates', have come under fire from recreational motorcyclists, lawyers and judges.
Mr Maggs said he had already heard of motorcyclists being targeted in Victoria.
"We've just had a recent funeral at one of our
"These are some of our senior motorcycle fraternity, judges, lawyers, my parents, and why should they be singled out because they have a motorcycle jacket?"
Mr Maggs said "99 per cent" of motorcycle club members were law-abiding citizens.
"The numbers of criminal elements in these clubs are no different than some in football clubs, there's one or two rogue people in all society that create problems for others," he said.
"This is just not a law that can affect motorcyclists or scooter riders throughout Australia, it can affect everybody.
"This will be a very big ride and it'll also tell those legislators that democracy shouldn't be messed with."
The Freedom Ride is backed by the Free Australia political party.
Hear more about why Dale Maggs organised the Freedom Ride in the audio player.