BY: Robyn Preston
watoday.com.au
Australia - Changing public perception has seen more sympathy for
motorcycle gangs, according to the leader of a political party formed to
oppose anti-bikie laws.
Leader of the federal FREE Australia Party Paul Kuhn spoke at an
anti-association laws protest outside Parliament House, where motorbike
riders converged on Sunday.
People associated with criminal organisations can face jail time under laws that came into effect towards the end of 2013.
Mr Kuhn flew in from South Australia, where state anti-bikie laws were thrown out by the High Court in 2010 on the grounds that they were unconstitutional. Advertisement
He said he would not be surprised if the laws were also overturned in WA.
"Traditionally [bikies] stay quiet and as a result that makes them an easy target," he said.
A protestor, wearing Gypsy Joker insignia, outside Parliament. Photo: Robyn Preston
It was "very clear" that the public were "in favour of bikies" and supportive of the protest against the laws, Mr Kuhn said.
"The great Australian spirit steps up and supports the underdog," he said.
"There are already laws in place to deal with organised crime, so why do [the police] need these new laws?" Mr Kuhn said.
Under the laws police are able to apply to the courts to have a group declared a criminal organisation.
A successful application could see members of the organisation face mandatory minimum sentences if they were convicted of a range of serious offences, including associating with other member of the organisation.
A 32-year-old member of the Rockingham-based Brothers Social Riding Club said while he had not been a target of WA's anti-association laws, it was important to be a part of the protest.
He had been riding for a year and joined the club for social reasons, to go on rides with friends and family.
"[The protest] is mainly about freedom - I shouldn't have the law tell me who I should or shouldn't hang around with."
"The laws can be used against just an [average] rider," he said.
The organiser of Sunday's rally, who only wanted to be known by her first name, Kerin, said the laws were an excuse to control the public's perception of motorcycle groups.
"What the public don't realise is that these laws affect everybody," she said.
A spokeswoman for Attorney General Michael Mischin said on Friday that he would not be attending the rally.
"General members of the public have nothing to fear from this legislation and do not risk being listed as associates by attending motorbike events," she said.
People associated with criminal organisations can face jail time under laws that came into effect towards the end of 2013.
Mr Kuhn flew in from South Australia, where state anti-bikie laws were thrown out by the High Court in 2010 on the grounds that they were unconstitutional. Advertisement
He said he would not be surprised if the laws were also overturned in WA.
"Traditionally [bikies] stay quiet and as a result that makes them an easy target," he said.
A protestor, wearing Gypsy Joker insignia, outside Parliament. Photo: Robyn Preston
It was "very clear" that the public were "in favour of bikies" and supportive of the protest against the laws, Mr Kuhn said.
"The great Australian spirit steps up and supports the underdog," he said.
"There are already laws in place to deal with organised crime, so why do [the police] need these new laws?" Mr Kuhn said.
Under the laws police are able to apply to the courts to have a group declared a criminal organisation.
A successful application could see members of the organisation face mandatory minimum sentences if they were convicted of a range of serious offences, including associating with other member of the organisation.
A 32-year-old member of the Rockingham-based Brothers Social Riding Club said while he had not been a target of WA's anti-association laws, it was important to be a part of the protest.
He had been riding for a year and joined the club for social reasons, to go on rides with friends and family.
"[The protest] is mainly about freedom - I shouldn't have the law tell me who I should or shouldn't hang around with."
"The laws can be used against just an [average] rider," he said.
The organiser of Sunday's rally, who only wanted to be known by her first name, Kerin, said the laws were an excuse to control the public's perception of motorcycle groups.
"What the public don't realise is that these laws affect everybody," she said.
A spokeswoman for Attorney General Michael Mischin said on Friday that he would not be attending the rally.
"General members of the public have nothing to fear from this legislation and do not risk being listed as associates by attending motorbike events," she said.
