VLAD ‘winning war’ against bikie gangs on Gold Coast, according to confidential report

CONFIDENTIAL police figures show the number of signed-up motorcycle gang members in Queensland has dropped to a record low as the VLAD laws remain in place.

Hells Angels MC on the Gold Coast ,

CONFIDENTIAL police figures show the number of signed up motorcycle gang members in Queensland has dropped to a record low as the VLAD laws remain in place.

LNP members on the Gold Coast are poised to use the data and effectiveness of the tough anti-bikie Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment (VLAD) legislation introduced by the Newman Government to shore up support for the new preference voting system.

The Gold Coast Bulletin understands the Queensland Police Service updates current membership of bikies with those arrested required to remove themselves from clubs or face prosecution.

Police raided the Bandidos Motorcycle Club clubhouse on Cronulla Avenue, at Mermaid.

“They have to complete a declaration that they are no longer a bikie,” a bikie source said.

“This happens when they are arrested or police go around to see them.

“Under the VLAD laws, it’s an offence if you are a bikie.”

The State had more than 1200 bikie gang members in October 2013 before the legislation was introduced and only a month after the Broadbeach bikie brawl that triggered the new laws.

In February this year the number was previously reported to be 882 but the latest figures for April show a further drop to 750 members.

“The majority of those 1200 came from the Gold Coast, with the most popular club being the Bandidos,” the bikie source said.

“This is more than signing a piece of paper saying you are no longer a bikie.

“If you are dissociated from the club, it means they are absolved of all club benefits.”

A report on the bikie laws by Commissioner Michael Byrne, QC, had indicated there had been “some, but objectively small, reduction in OMCG membership numbers” since the legislation was introduced.

Burleigh LNP MP Michael Hart predicts removing the VLAD tough bikie laws will hurt Labor’s re-election chances on the Coast. Picture: Regi Varghese

While the Black Uhlans and Mongols may have taken a hard line and maintained at least half of the membership, bikie sources suggest clubs like the Bandidos lost most of their numbers.

A Gold CoastBulletin report at the weekend predicted Labor was about to make a comeback on the Glitter Strip, with the possibility of gaining three seats due a boundary redistribution and the controversial move towards compulsory preferential voting.

Hells Angels MC on the Gold Coast ,

Burleigh MP Michael Hart acknowledged Labor would benefit from Green preferences under the new system but he said “the variable is the changes Labor will make to the VLAD laws”.

As the Government moves to weaken the laws, Mr Hart has been checking on bikie haunts in his electorate.

The Black Ulans had a clubhouse in industrial Burleigh and the Hells Angels maintained a base in Lemana Lane before being shut down by police.

“The people of the Gold Coast feel safer with these laws and want them kept,” Mr Hart said. “Labor will water them down and that changes the situation on the Gold Coast reinforcing the conservative vote.

“LNP seats on the Gold Coast are safe, especially if Labor changes VLAD — and they will.”

Opposition police spokesman Jarrod Bleijie has flagged the LNP will run a campaign on standing up to criminal gangs and maintaining the tough laws.

“Labor is soft on crime,” Mr Bleijie told the Bulletin.

“When (Premier) Annastacia Palaszczuk weakens Queensland’s strong laws, criminal gang violence will return to our streets.

“Annastacia should spend less time rigging our voting system and more time ridding Queensland of criminal gangs.

“The police, CCC, community are telling her not to weaken the laws.

“She has stopped listening.”