Bikies are “revving their engines” on the NSW border for comeback says LNP leader Springborg

THE state’s opposition leader says that outlaw motorcycle gangs are “revving their engines” just across the NSW border as the State Government moves to review its controversial anti-bikie laws.

State Parliament Estimates

OUTLAW motorcycle gangs are “revving their engines” just across the NSW border as the State Government moves to review its controversial anti-bikie laws, says Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg.

Just short of two years since the Broadbeach bikie brawl that led to a change in the law, conservative MPs have turned up the heat on the Palaszczuk Government ahead of today’s continuation of parliamentary estimates hearings.

LNP Leader Lawrence Springborg and nine of the city’s 10 MPs yesterday walked the Broadbeach Mall in a show of unity at the location where the brawl that kicked off the crackdown began in September 2013.

The only local LNP MP missnig was Coomera’s Michael Crandon.

Mr Springborg said there was significant support from Gold Coast businesses and residents to retain the Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment (VLAD) laws in their existing form.

The State Government is reviewing the leglisation and has flagged its intention to change part of it.

“I appeal to Queenslanders to stand up on this issue because these laws are going to get thrown out,” Mr Springborg said.

“This will open up this city to the type of lawlessness that we had before and I have no doubt that just over the border they are revving their bikes, just waiting for this government to roll out the red carpet.

“Indeed we have already seen some ... very bolshie attitudes from those gangs and the people involved in them.”

John-Paul Langbroek listening to Lawrence Springborg (foreground). Picture by Scott Fletcher

Mr Springborg said the VLAD laws would be immediatly re-introduced if the LNP was elected to government.

The laws, introduced by the former Newman Government in late 2013 proved highly controversial and were due to be reviewed at the end of 2016 regardless of which party won this year’s state election.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones yesterday also visited Broadbeach for a separate function and dismissed the Opposition’s attack.

She said the government was totally opposed to criminal gangs.

“We have said from day one that we are 100 per cent against any criminal activity – not just from motorcycle gangs but from anyone – and we expect that anyone who breaks the law here in Queensland will feel the full force of the law.” she said.

“It was an election commitment to look at those laws and we will support our position that we do not support motorcycle gangs in any way, shape or form.

“We will continue to be tough on crime and this will include motorcycle gangs.”