Drama sparks special debate on rebel gangs
Adelaide Advertiser, Page: 12. Tuesday, 12 February, 2008
A special parliamentary debate on outlaw bikie gangs has been proposed by the Opposition in the wake of the Paskeville shooting.
The Liberals are considering moving a motion when Parliament resumes today to set aside time for the law and order debate.
The move also comes as the Rann Government considers tougher firearms legislation to combat bikie gangs.
Other laws have already been introduced and are due to be debated in the session which begins today.
The Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Bill will ensure people who have contact with bikies at least six times a year will face a minimum of five years ‘ jail.
The police will also have the power to declare bikie gangs illegal. Attorney-General Michael Atkinson said the events at Paskeville demonstrated just why these new laws were needed.
“Only last week we had (Democrat) Sandra Kanck hosting the Gypsy Jokers at a bikie convention she held at Parliament House,” Mr Atkinson said.
“She said these were misunderstood people who were about to be penalised by draconian laws.
“I expect these laws, including new firearms legislation, to be through Parhament and in force by the state Budget (due on June 5).” Mr Atkinson said the laws needed the support of the Opposition and minor parties in the Upper House and he trusted that the events in Paskeville would demonstrate to Ms Kanck and others “why her view of the criminal bikie gangs is a naive one”.
Opposition Leader Martin Hamilton-Smith said time should be set aside in Parliament to place law and order on centre stage.
“Robberies at knifepoint, shootings at a city nightclub, ongoing reports of bikies in control of drugs and prostitution and now a shooting in the middle of the day in a small country town,” he said. “What else does it take to get Premier (Mike) Rann on the job? If laws need to be toughened up, Mike Rann should toughen them.
“If police need more resources, provide them. If we need greater, genuine commitment from government on crime and bikie gangs, then make it.” Mr Hamilton-Smith said the Adelaide he grew up in was not run by criminal gangs “but that seems to be where we are heading”. “I want the Government to get serious about community safety and commit time in Parliament to an informed debate on how we can make our streets safer and clean up the bikie problem,” he said.
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