Wellington: Why are NRL players treated better than bikies?

MEMBER for Nicklin Peter Wellington has hit out at the treatment of footballers caught up in drug supply compared to those charged under VLAD laws.

Peter Wellington thinks we should be tougher on footballer players caught up in drug scandals. What do you think?

MEMBER for Nicklin Peter Wellington has hit out at the treatment of Gold Coast Titans footballers caught up in drug supply allegations saying it's 'preferential treatment' compared to those charged under VLAD laws. 

Overnight, four more Gold Coast Titans players, including State of Origin stars Greg Bird and Dave Taylor, have been charged over the cocaine scandal that has rocked the NRL club.

In a no punch held statement posted on Facebook Mr Wellington questioned the difference between 'high profile drug dealing football stars and a motor bike rider charged under the VLAD laws.'  

"Under the previous Government's VLAD laws, a motor bike rider suspected of using or associating with someone using drugs, can be thrown in gaol without recourse to bail, put in solitary confinement and made to wear a pink jump suit.  

"If convicted he gets double the penalty of anyone else and can expect to languish in gaol for 20 years," he said.   

"But, when a high profile drug dealing footballer is caught by the police, he is not charged under the VLAD laws, does not have to go straight to gaol or wear a pink jump suit and he can apply for and be granted bail."  

"Prior to the election, the Labor Party said it would overturn the VLAD laws and the Premier has already started to form the Task Force to look into the laws.  

Mr Wellington said a moratorium was needed on some of the extreme parts of the VLAD laws until the Task Force reports back to the Government, something that had been flagged for December 2015.   

"I have already written to the Police Minister Joanne Miller about the VLAD laws and tomorrow I will write to her again and to the Attorney General Yvette D'ath, highlighting the apparent preferential treatment the police have provided to the footballers involved in the allegation of use of drugs compared to the treatment of some motor bike riders," he said. 

"Regarding my earlier letter to the Police Minister I asked that until the outcome of the government's investigation of VLAD laws, local police be barred from arresting anyone under the definition of associate or participant without prior approval of a Superintendent of Police or higher ranking officer."  

Mr Wellington called on the public to share his view. So far overnight it had been more than 600 times.   

   

Originally published as Wellington: Why are NRL players treated better than bikies?