ID :
52005
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 16:01
Auther :

Ban bikie gangs across Australia: police

Victoria's police union has demanded bikie gangs be banned across Australia amid
fears their state could become a haven for the groups.
With NSW and South Australia introducing special legislation to cope with the
problem of renegade bikie gangs, Victoria's Police Association has warned their
state could attract the motorcyclists.
"We could end up with a situation where bikie gang action is based in Victoria
because we don't have the legislation to deal with it," said Inspector Bruce
McKenzie from the association.
He said the gangs should be outlawed.
"We would like to promote a more national approach to outlawing bikie gangs," he said.
When asked whether the bikie gangs should be banned, Insp McKenzie said: "Of course."
He said a Victorian bikie taskforce should also be established to boost numbers
looking at crimes undertaken by motorcycle gangs.
His comments came after Sydney man Anthony Zervas, 29, was killed with a metal pole
as rival bikies brawled at Sydney airport's domestic check-in area on Sunday
afternoon.
On Tuesday, Victoria's Assistant Commissioner of Crime Dannye Moloney told
journalists there was no evidence of a surge of bikies into the state, despite some
other states taking a tough approach.
He said Victoria would oppose a planned national dob-in-a-bikie campaign, because
innocent people could be caught up in the action.
"You and the public at this stage probably have not seen the complete package of the
campaign," Mr Moloney said.
"It certainly relates to and could incorporate information being called in by the
community which may affect innocent people, good law-abiding citizens that actually
go about their business, (and) join clubs.
"People, just because they wear a certain attire or alternatively happen to ride a
certain brand of motorcycle, should not be branded."
He said police had also considered whether the campaign could breach Victoria's
Charter of Human Rights.
Defending Victoria Police's decision not to take part in the national campaign,
Victorian Premier John Brumby said his state's laws were Australia's toughest on
organised crime, including rogue bikie gangs.
"Whether it's an Asian triad gang or whether it's a bikie gang, that legislation is
all embracing, it's umbrella legislation and it gives police and the special
examiner extraordinary powers."
Those coercive powers include the right to detain and question suspects without charge.




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