Where do they stand? Less than half of candidates commit to keeping bikie laws if they’re elected
WHERE do they stand? Less than half of Gold Coast candidates are committed to keeping the bikie laws that drove gangs out of the city. See what they said.
QLD Votes
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LESS than half the Gold Coast’s sitting members and election candidates support retaining the 2013 laws that saw bikie gangs all but driven out of the city.
The contenders vying for Gold Coast votes were asked: “Do you support retaining the VLAD laws against criminal gangs beyond 2016?”
Scroll down to see what your candidates said
From those who answered, 18 said yes; 22 said no; nine either did not know or did not directly answer the question and seven could not be contacted.
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After the laws put an end to decades of bad bikie behaviour, the Gold Coast Bulletin has pushed for commitment to them as part of our Gimme Five election wish list.
From those who answered, Labor members said they would not retain the laws, while most LNP members said they supported them but could not commit beyond 2016.
Opponents of the laws complain that they risk criminalising innocent riders.
Scroll down to see what your candidates said
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Peter Yared praised the laws, saying government figures that showed 1706 criminal gang participants had been arrested on 4710 charges since the laws were introduced showed they were working.
Mr Yared said small businesses on the Gold Coast did not want to return to the ways things were before the laws were passed.
“In addition, the rate of reported robbery is down 27 per cent, extortion is down 35 per cent, unlawful entry is down 20 per cent and motor vehicle theft is down 19 per cent,” he said.
“The current laws that are in place need to remain to ensure the Gold Coast’s reputation is not tarnished by petty and major crime.”
Police have confirmed sightings of bikies returning to the southern end of the Gold Coast, while riders were seen in Mongols colours at Runaway Bay, and a large group of Bandidos were spotted riding on the M1 between Brisbane and the Coast a fortnight ago.
Mr Yared said pressure needed to be kept on gangs to ensure they didn’t return to the brawls and shootings that marred 2013.
“We need to continue implementing tough laws in order to monitor and keep a close eye on what happens after-hours in the precincts.
“We need to keep it clean and under control so our reputation isn’t tarnished and so it doesn’t further hurt the tourism industry.”
HOW THE CANDIDATES ANSWERED:
BURLEIGH:
Michael Hart, LNP: Yes
Gail Hislop, ALP: Yes but the laws must be reviewed
Jim MacAnnally, PUP: Yes
Sue Baynes, Family First: Yes
Jane Power, Greens: No
COOMERA:
Michael Crandon, LNP: Yes. I support the VLAD laws for what they have achieved and I also support the (2016) review.
Brett McCreadie, ALP: I don’t know.
Shirley Morgan, PUP: No. The Palmer United Party fully supports a citizen`s right to feel safe and for crime to be properly and fairly addressed in society. While it`s a priority that organised crime is effectively dealt with, we don`t want extreme measures to be the norm.
Cathy O’Brien, Family First: Yes With modifications and amendments.
Chris Wisbey, Greens: (could not be contacted)
MERMAID BEACH:
Ray Stevens, LNP: As a great supporter and advocate for these successful laws, I would like to see them continue. They will be reviewed as many laws are.
Gary Pead, ALP: No answer
Alex Caraco, PUP: They must be reviewed.
Simon Green, Family First: Yes, but amended.
Helen Wainwright, Greens: I don’t know.
CURRUMBIN:
Jann Stuckey, LNP: The significant reduction in crime figures speak for themselves and as with other legislation, they will be reviewed in due course.
Ashley Wain, ALP: Some of them.
Kristian Rees, PUP: You can’t ride in groups of three or more — that needs a review.
Ben Donovan, Family First: SDDSDSD
David Wyatt, Greens: No
Deborah Gravenall, One Nation: (could not be contacted)
SURFERS PARADISE:
John-Paul Langbroek, LNP: The laws were brought in and passed and had a sunset clause for 2016. I support laws that work, as they have, especially in Broadbeach and Surfers.
Josh Blundell-Thornton, ALP: No. The VLAD laws in their current state are poorly written, adversely effect innocent people and are open for appeal to the High Court. These laws need to reviewed and altered so that innocent people do not lose their freedom of association.
Stephen Gardner, PUP: (could not be contacted)
Jonathon Scoones, Family First: In principal we support however believe it needs to be reviewed, as it was rushed through parliament.
Helen Hunt, Greens: (could not be contacted)
MUDGEERABA:
Ros Bates, LNP: (Could not be contacted)
Georgi Leader, ALP: No, must be reviewed
Benedict Figueroa, PUP: (Could not be contacted)
Chris Peterson, Family First: No, must be reviewed
Roger Brisbane, Greens: No.
Bill Sherwood, Independent: They aren’t punishing criminal gangs, they’re punishing innocent people.
SOUTHPORT:
Rob Molhoek, LNP: Yes.
Rowan Holzberger, ALP: Annastacia Palaszczuk has made it clear that there will be no reduction in police resources to tackle criminal gangs. Labor has also made it clear that if police require more resources to tackle criminal gangs, police will get those resources.
Nicole Stanton, PUP: Yes. But with a review to comply with judicial process
Petrina Maizey, Greens: (could not be contacted)
Matthew Mackechnie, Independent: Yes, so that our neighbourhoods remain safe.
GAVEN:
Alex Douglas, Independent: No. They must be reviewed as they will fail when challenged with a proper case with a charged individual.
Sid Cramp, LNP: The laws are working now, but they have to be reviewed in 2016.
Michael Riordan, ALP: Labor’s policy is to continue to support strong police action against criminal activities in gangs but to review the current laws to ensure they are better targeted and don’t unfairly catch up innocent people.
Adam Marcinowski, PUP: (Does not support criminals but) I am opposed to the totalitarian regime way in which these laws have been implemented and the effect that they have on civil liberty of law abiding bike riders. The PUP is committed to reviewing these laws.
Ben O’Brien, Family First: I don’t support the current VLAD laws, but they need to be revised instead of abolished.
Toni McPherson, Greens: No.
Chris Ivory, Independent: I don’t like criminals, I have no time for them, but I’m concerned that innocent people (on motorbikes) are being pulled up.
BROADWATER:
Verity Barton, LNP: Yes. I support the current laws and I also support the (2016) review.
Penny Toland, ALP: Yes. But not in their current format. They need to be redrafted to meet the intent and reduce the money that would be spent on numerous appeals.
George Sokolov, PUP: No.
Stuart Ballantyne, Family First: Yes
Daniel Kwon, Greens: Yes
Phil Pollock, One Nation: Yes. But there needs to be refinements so that innocent bikers are not pulled over.
Amin-Reza Javanmard, Independent: Yes. But I would like to see them merged with anti-terror laws.
ALBERT:
Mark Boothman, LNP: Yes, but they will be reviewed. They have worked extremely well.
Melissa McMahon, ALP: No in their current incarnation.
Blair Brewster, PUP: I don’t know
Amanda Best, Family First: Yes. But needs amendments.
Jane Cadjler, Greens: (could not be contacted)
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