An innocent Gold Coaster will be killed in bikie war warns LNP leader Deb Frecklington

Fears have been raised that innocent people will become victims if gang violence escalates on the Gold Coast in the wake of the Shane Ross’s brutal slaying.

OPPOSITION leader Deb Frecklington fears an innocent Gold Coast resident will be killed in the bikies war.

“It couldn’t be any clearer that the bikies are back on the Gold Coast under the Palaszczuk Labor Government,” Ms Frecklington told the Bulletin.

“Labor rolled back the LNP’s tough laws and this (two deaths) is the result. My fear is that an innocent Gold Coast resident is going to get killed.”

Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan during Question Time at Parliament House — defending the government’s record on policing. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

The Opposition in State Parliament today put the spotlight on Coast police resources following the death of Comanchero bikie Shane Ross.

Burleigh MP Michael Hart in Question Time targeted Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk after police reports confirmed they were investigating whether bikie connections and drugs played a role in the murder.

Queensland Leader of the Opposition Deb Frecklington during Question Time at Parliament House — she fears an innocent person will be killed. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 8 WEEKS. (MIN. COST $4)

Ross’s body was found in bushland at the corner of the Pacific Highway and Tallebudgera Creek Road, about 1.30pm on Monday. He had not been seen his friend, Cameron Martin, crashed his Mercedes Benz at high speed and died about 1km away around 9pm on Friday.

Mr Hart, in State Parliament today, asked the Premier: “After another fatal shooting on the Gold Coast, reportedly connected to criminal gang members, when will the Premier stop her head-in-the-sand approach to people’s safety and give the police the resources and the tough laws they need to keep the community safe.”

The Premier, who had to pause when answering the question after interjections from LNP frontbenchers, said the State had the strongest organised crime laws in Australia and more than 1000 police on the Coast.

She said an extra 20 police this year would go “a long way to addressing the issues down there”.

Police investigate a crime scene and at Martin Sheils Park in Tallebudgera. Picture Glenn Hampson.

MORE NEWS

‘It’s a joke’: Man’s massive fine for parking near home

Crash victim’s mystery chest wound

Building housing popular Coast eatery up for sale

“What did the LNP do. They shut down the Coomera police district. That worked out well, didn’t it, because Pimpama-Coomera is one of the fastest growing areas in the south-east,” she said.

Police Minister Mark Ryan earlier in a ministerial statement said the Coast had more than 1000 police officers and another 20 would be deployed here by the end of this financial year.

“Last year our police made the highest number of arrests of members of organised crime groups since Taskforce Maxima was formed. Data shows that patched OMCG membership in Queensland continues to decline,” he said.

“Following the deaths of two people on the Gold Coast recently, police have established a dedicated operation, Operation Romeo Masking, with an investigative centre being established at the Gold Coast CIB at Burleigh Heads.

Police investigate a crime scene and at Martin Sheils Park in Tallebudgera. Picture Glenn Hampson

“Just this morning I was advised by police that a team of more than 20 detectives are working around the clock on that investigation and they are being assisted by State Crime Command, including the homicide squad, the Organised Crime Gangs Group, forensic specialists and intelligence officers.

“I know that our police will not rest until their investigations are complete. They will continue to work until justice is delivered and they will continue to keep working hard for the safety of our communities.”