Bikie VLAD laws: Queensland police push to keep anti-association powers
THE Palaszczuk Government’s response to the VLAD laws review will see some laws toughened while others will be softened. Here’s what you need to know.
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POLICE believe a proposed suite of changes to bikie laws will still allow them to clamp down on outlaw motorcycle gang members but have raised concerns about changes to anti-association laws.
Under the proposal the state’s VLAD laws would be removed and the anti-association provisions changed, with recommendations to implement anti-consorting laws already used in NSW.
In NSW anti-consorting laws are limited to criminals with convictions, which the bikie law taskforce headed by retired Justice Alan Wilson has also recommended for Queensland.
The taskforce recommended post-conviction control orders for bikies and criminals.
Police officers told The Courier-Mail most recommendations appeared workable and they were content that provisions about licensed premises and clubhouses would remain however some said anti-consorting laws and control orders would be “labour intensive”.
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the union was on the taskforce which reviewed the laws and had disagreed with many recommendations, despite some of them having the word “unanimous” after them.
The Government’s Response
* Anti-association laws will be watered down in the form of new ‘consorting laws’, similiar to NSW
* Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath could not say whether the new laws will prevent bikie gang members from gathering in large groups, if they are not wearing their club colours and have no convictions
* Mandatory sentencing under VLAD is likely to be replaced by a less tough regime
* Extension on the ban on wearing club colours beyond licensed venues
* Outlaw motorcycle gang clubhouses will remain closed
* New control orders will be introduced, which would ensure criminals are subject to strict conditions
VLAD LAWS: How bikies laws will change
SECRET SUBMISSION: Bikies are recruiting again
Mr Leavers said he had spoken with the Premier about the report.
“Over the course of an hour I explained that the anti-association provisions and the stop, search and detain powers are well liked and used by police,” he said.
Mr Leavers said laws needed to maintain a list of “declared criminal organisations”.
Commissioner Ian Stewart yesterday wrote to officers reminding them that laws had not yet been changed and “the maintenance of public safety remains our paramount consideration”. He also reminded them of the requirement to ask superiors before charging people under the anti-association and VLAD laws.
The Government also announced an extra $20million funding for police to target organised crime, along with $12.1m for the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions and $5.3m for an independent crime statistics body.