Thousands Protest Australia’s Anti-Bikie Laws, Cries Harassment
Thousands of motorcycle bikers held protest actions across Australia on Sunday to rally against Queensland's anti-bikie laws, which they claim is a form of harassment against legitimate and law-abiding bikers.
Gabriel Buckley, organiser of the Queensland action, said the law has been detrimental to other people.
"Some people are being pulled over three times on their way to work," he said. "You can imagine why these guys are getting impatient with the government."
The state government recently enacted laws as part of a bikie crackdown, following the spate of crimes involving criminal motorcycle gang members. The law stipulated bikies cannot ride in groups of three.
"We ride to make money and save money for the kids to support different schools and the Government is trying to put a thing through," Pedro Pederson from the Brothers Twin Group said. "How are we supposed to do our runs to raise money for kids?"
It's likewise illegal to wear clothing identifying any of those clubs in a licensed premises.
Campbell Newman, Queensland premier, defended at least 10 criminal motorcycle gang members have been arrested since the law was implemented.
"Although [the laws have] been sold as a targeted crackdown on organised crime groups, they're so broadly written that they could be used against any group of people," Mr Buckley said.
Travis Windsor from the Australian Motorcycle Business Chamber likewise stressed the hysteria has had economic implications.
"There are 1500 bike-related businesses in Queensland," Mr Windsor told ABC News. "That's a $1 billion turnover and 10,000 jobs. Since these laws were introduced we're losing $5 million a week."
Mr Newman continued to show a hard stance on the matter.
"These laws are against gangs - gangs who manufacture drugs and sell them to kids, gangs that result in a whole lot of human misery in our society."
"Nobody that's a law-abiding motorcyclist has to worry about these laws... they are tough but they're appropriate."