Bikie crackdown: gangs could be banned from security and gym jobs
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Version 0 of 1. Bikie gang members could be banned from the security, gym and second-hand car industries under a Queensland government crackdown. Parliament passed new laws early on Wednesday aimed at dismantling criminal bikie gangs, and banning gang members from owning, operating or working in tattoo parlours. The attorney general, Jarrod Bleijie, says the government is prepared to drive bikies out of other industries too, with more laws likely to be brought before parliament before the end of the year. Bleijie named the security, gym and second-hand car industries as examples of businesses they would target under the bans. "If there are criminal motorcycle gang members profiteering, promoting, working, associating, being the proprietor of these other businesses, then we will crush them too," he said. "We are unapologetic in relation to making sure that we have the net cast as far and as wide as possible to catch these individuals and rid them from our streets." Bleijie told Queenslanders to expect more anti-bikie laws. "As the criminal motorcycle gang members respond to these laws, come up out of the ground from where they are hidden at the moment, we will have to introduce more laws targeting criminal motorcycle gang members," he said. The new laws passed with the support of Labor and crossbench MPs about 3am (AEST) on Wednesday. The laws name 26 criminal organisations, including the Bandidos, Finks and Mongols. Among other things, they ban members and associates from gathering and recruiting for new members and carry additional jail terms of 15 to 25 years for bikies who commit serious crimes. Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |