PHOTOS: Rebels bikie gang host national run in Canberra

Hundreds of Rebels bikies have descended on Canberra for the outlaw motorcycle gang’s national run. See the pictures here.

Rebels bikie members gather at Canberra’s old greyhound racing track at the weekend. Picture: Martin Ollman

Hundreds of Rebels bikies – including from NSW – have descended on Canberra for the outlaw motorcycle gang’s national run, as senior ACT police worry they do not have the power to stop them congregating unlike in Sydney.

Burly Rebels members were photographed by The Daily Telegraph gathering inside a function centre at the old Canberra greyhound racing track and a nearby motel in Symonston at the weekend.

There was a heavy police presence in the area and officers also deployed a mobile surveillance tower, which had somewhat pointed notes on paper stuck to it one night, including one which said: “Please feel free to f--k off – respectfully”.

Police speak to some Rebels members on the roadside. Picture: Martin Ollman

Another read: “Hey Big Brother, what’s with the surveillance police state apparatus nonsense?!”, while another said: “There’s nothing to see here …”.

The Rebels first arrived in Canberra on Friday and the gathering was expected to last until Sunday.

Police set up roadblocks into and out of the greyhound track, photographing Rebels and searching them thoroughly before allowing them to enter.

A note left on a police surveillance tower. Picture Martin Ollman

Some of the members coming from different states also brought in their motorcycles on the backs of trailers, seemingly to avoid tougher anti-bikie laws that exist in NSW.

NSW Police was ramping up the amount of patrols on country roads.

“There is an increased police presence on NSW roads during the run, members participating in the event will be closely monitored by police in an effort to reduce any road issues with officers targeting anti-social behaviour, traffic offences and alcohol related crime,” a spokeswoman said.

Meanwhile, ACT Police said there were no major incidents during the run – except for a few drug driving charges.

“Two members were charged with drug driving at a vehicle checkpoint in Symonston on Friday night, while a number of vehicle defect notices were also issued,” a spokesman said.

“No other offences or incidents were identified.”

Bikes being carried into the gathering on trailers. Picture: Martin Ollman

Police set up in Canberra. Picture Martin Ollman

In NSW, consorting laws make it illegal for someone to associate or talk with at least two people who have previously been convicted of a serious crime.

ACT Chief Police Officer Neil Gaughan previously told The Telegraph that bikie members know authorities in the bush capital have less power to hinder them.

“We have seen some of the highest officeholders coming to Canberra to have meetings where they fly in for a couple of days at a time,” he said.

A Rebels member motors past police. Picture: Martin Ollman

Rebels OMCG are not allowed to ride, so they loaded their bikes onto trucks and transported them to Canberra. Picture Martin Ollman

Bikes loaded onto trucks and transported. Picture Martin Ollman

“They are discussing club business because they know we can’t stop them getting together – like in other states”.

It comes after the ACT government passed controversial reforms last year decriminalising small quantities of recreational drugs.

Under the new rules, those caught with small amounts of drugs such as MDMA or cocaine could face having to do a health program or paying a fine instead of being charged and going through the court system.

Motorcycles lined up outside a function centre at Canberra’s old greyhound racing track. Picture: Martin Ollman

In the interview, Mr Gaughan said NSW’s tougher consorting laws and the decriminalisation of those drugs may have made Canberra a good option to meet for bikies.

“They know we can’t really touch them, they can wear their colours and we also don’t have firearm prohibition laws, all of which makes it a challenge to do preventive policing,” he said.

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