OFF THE WIRE
A protest of mostly motorbike riders will converge on Parliament House
on Sunday in opposition to anti-association laws that they say could
infringe on people's rights.
The president of Freedom Rights
Australia, the group behind the protest, said even though the laws were
designed to target outlaw motorcycle gangs, they had potential to impact
anyone in society.
Another member of the group, Ant Shurlock,
also told Radio 6PR that he believed he'd been listed as an associate of
an outlaw motorbike gang as he attends motorbike events.
Laws under the Criminal Organisations Control Act Outlaw came into effect towards the end of 2013.
The
laws mean police will be able to apply to the courts to have a group
declared a criminal organisation and could stop people associating.
A
successful application would see members of the declared criminal
organisation face mandatory minimum sentences if they were convicted of a
range of serious offences, including associating with other member of
the organisation.
Mr Shurlock said while police in WA were not
yet enforcing the laws as strictly as they were in Queensland, he
believed they were already making an impact.
"I believe I am
listed as an associate, even though I am not a member of any motorcycle
clubs, purely because I have attended motorcycle events such as the
Bindoon Dirt Drags," he said.
"It's kind of like going to an
Eagles home game and being listed as an Eagles supporter even if you're
just a fan of footy or going to watch Essendon or whatever.
"The
laws may in the future be abused because they are written so broadly
that they can be used to target almost any association or group and the
definition of an association or organisation is very loose in general in
the wording of the Act."
The president of the group, who wanted to
be known by her first name only, Kerin, said WA's anti-association laws,
which could see people facing up to five years' jail, could rely on
stereotyping and interrupt events such as Anzac Day marches.
"Anzac Day could be disrupted by police trying to catch people," Kerin said.
"A
lot of [veterans] have motorbike clubs and naturally meet together, so
whenever groups of bike riders get together, there is a chance they
could be targeted."
Kerin said as a person who rides a motorbike, she
was concerned that she and others like her could come under unwarranted
attention from the police
"They are calling them bikie laws but that is a load of crap, they could affect every one of us," she said.
Kerin said she supported the police and understood they had to enforce law but believed the government should scrap the laws.
She said there was no need for such laws.
"The
government introduced them to try and catch people breaking the law but
there are already laws to catch them, these laws will target people
wearing a vest and riding a motorbike in a group," Kerin said.
"If people are dealing drugs they are drug dealers and there is a law to catch them."
Organisers
of Perth's Freedom Rally are expecting more than 300 people riding
motorbikes from a number of gathering points throughout Perth and the
South-West and meeting at Parliament about 10.30am on Sunday.
The Attorney General's office has been contacted for comment.
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/motorbike-riders-to-rev-up-at-parliament-protest-20140228-33plg.html#ixzz2uc1ogfE8
