Controversial bikie laws passed in NSW Posted 9 minutes ago
Controversial legislation targeting New South Wales bikie gangs has been passed by State Parliament.
The Greens voted against the laws, saying the new legislation could lead to police corruption
The legislation passed the Upper House of Parliament late last night following a lengthy debate.
Under the laws police will be able to apply to have motorcycle clubs declared criminal organisations.
Members could then be jailed for associating with each other and prevented from working in certain jobs.
The legislation has been criticised by the NSW Law Society and the Bar Association, who say it is unlikely to withstand legal challenges.
But NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos says he is confident it will be effective.
"This legislation has the capacity to cause severe damage to these organisations," he said.
"The Government has taken senior legal advice in relation to the legislation and its capacity to be able to withstand constitutional challenge and on that basis has proceeded.
"We have carefully considered the provisions of the legislation and the structures we have established."
The laws follow a wave of bikie gang violence including the fatal bashing of the brother of a hells angel at Sydney Airport.
Corruption fears
The New South Wales Greens say the state's new bikie legislation could lead to police corruption.
The Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says the legislation is open to abuse:
"It gives extraordinary discretionary powers to police," she said.
"It also undermines the current rules of evidence, it weakens the right of freedom of association and we are concerned that it could play out in a way that could increase the possibility for police corruption."
Ms Rhiannon says legislation will not solve the problem of gang violence.
"The challenge with this legislation was to pass it so that it improved public safety and ended gang-related criminal activity while preserving long-held tenants of the justice system, but that has not been achieved," she said.
A NSW pollie mentioned that the new laws could result in an increase in police corruption in that state. The way they'e going there will be no 'straight' people left! And the one's that are left will have no rights!
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Posted - 03 Apr 2009 : 01:21:46 AM
