VLAD law review to be headed by respected ex supreme court judge Alan Wilson

FORMER supreme court Judge Alan Wilson will head a State Government review of VLAD laws as part of a crackdown on organised crime.

Gold Coast Bikie Brawl between the Bandidos and Finks at Broadbeach which sparked the VLAD laws. Image: A Current Affair

FORMER supreme court Judge Alan Wilson will head a review of VLAD laws as part of a State Government crackdown on organised crime.

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said Justice Wilson, who retired in March, would oversee the review of the Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Act introduced by the Newman Government after the Broadbeach bikie brawl in 2013.

“The government is delighted that a legal figure of Justice Wilson’s calibre will oversee this crucial review,” Ms D’Ath said.

“This is what should have happened in the first place — a thorough analysis of important legislation designed to protect ordinary Queenslanders from organised crime.

“It is the job of this taskforce to examine how to focus these laws so they deliver safe communities across the state by taking crime gangs off the streets.

“The LNP legislation championed by its current leadership team was rammed through without proper scrutiny. Now is the time to get it right.”

The taskforce will include high-ranking representatives from the Queensland Law Society, the Bar Association of Queensland, the Public Interest Monitor, the Queensland Police Service, the Queensland Police Union, the Queensland Police Commissioned Officers’ Union of Employees, and senior public servants.

It will work in tandem with the Palaszczuk Government’s Commission of Inquiry, headed by respected criminal barrister Michael Byrne QC, as part of a multifaceted assault on organised crime.

It will report back to the government by the end this year, incorporating the findings of the commission of inquiry.

Originally published as VLAD law review to be headed by respected ex supreme court judge Alan Wilson