Lawyers oppose Vic bikie law

AAP-April,14-Laws designed to crack down on bikie gangs in Victoria could be abused to criminalise other groups the government dislikes, a legal group says.
Premier Ted Baillieu said on Thursday the coalition is working on legislation to outlaw criminal bikie gangs.
There have been reports of interstate gangs moving into Victoria after the introduction of tougher laws in NSW and South Australia.
The Law Institute of Victoria's (LIV) James Dowsley urged the government not to outlaw bikie gangs.
He said existing laws adequately deal with drug dealing, violence offences and planning to commit crimes.
"We oppose laws that make criminals out of a whole class of people," Mr Dowsley said on Thursday.
"The LIV is concerned that this could be extended to any group that the government does not approve of."
Mr Dowsley said the legislation could extend to associates of an outlawed group, such as family members or lawyers.
"Even an email or a phone call could make you an associate of a group and leave you liable to a prison sentence," he said.