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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be shocked by this?

63 replies

AwfulMaureen · 27/01/2014 22:16

Queensland have made it illegal to fraternize with bikers or Bikies as they're known in Australia.

They have...really. Now I know that Aussie bikers have a large criminal population among their numbers...gangs, guns etc...but really! A State that tells it's population "If you fraternize with Bikies you will be arrested."

That's WTF!!

What if a child or teen had a Dad or a Mum who was in a bikers gang? What about those who aren't criminal? As far as I cans see, if the biker has his or her "Colours" on then you can't talk to them or mix with them at all and they are going to have separate prisons for them too!

and double Is it me..AIBU or can you just NOT tell people this type of shit is law?

OP posts:

Squirrelsmum · 31/01/2014 06:27

The thing is Campbell Newman is one of Tony Abbott's lackeys and he is basically just following Abbott (the wrecking ball's) train of thought. I really despair for my country :( It is like they have all put their heads together and said "right let's screw this place over once and for all".

MrRected · 31/01/2014 06:37

I am quite happy with the hard line! I moved to Australia as I value a government (both federal & state) that are prepared to make tough decisions to stamp our crime.

Having spent most of my life in South Africa - where there have been 4154 rapes reported in the first 30 days of 2014 - most of which will not result in a prosecution, I will never take the protection of my civil liberties for granted.

There are always to angles to every story.

MrRected · 31/01/2014 06:39

Agree that Tony and co are a bunch of useless feckers....

Stamping out crime is one of their only redeeming features.

Original poster

AwfulMaureen · 31/01/2014 09:30

MrRejected SA and it's rape numbers has nothing to do with this.

OP posts:

hazchem · 01/02/2014 01:35

MrRected If you value your civil liberties then surely these laws should offend you. As they curtail freedom of association.

MrRected · 01/02/2014 11:40

I remain happy with the protection of my civil liberties. The reason I mentioned the situation in South Africa was that I wanted to demonstrate what happens when the state sit back and do nothing about crime.

The bottom line is that bike gangs in Australia are similar to organised criminal associations - like the mafia. Control of drug distribution, violent crime and an ever increasing spiral of loss of societal control at the hands of these criminal gangs is becoming a reality in Queensland. I applaud a government willing to take a hard line.

MrRected · 01/02/2014 11:41

Apologies for the terrible grammar. Combination of exhaustion and a dodgy iPad keyboard.

Squirrelsmum · 01/02/2014 12:01

By stamping out crime do you mean harassing and intimidating anyone who rides a Harley? A friend of ours commented on his recent visit to us in sunny QLD that he had his licence out more often on his 12 day trip than he has in over 30 years of riding a bike.
I don't have a problem with the law being taken to organised crime groups, it is something they should have started doing a long time ago, instead of the bribes and paybacks, but pick the right target FGS. Having tattoos and wearing leather does not a criminal make.

MrRected · 01/02/2014 12:20

Fair enough Squirrel. What would you suggest though? 20/20 vision in hindsight is great but won't fix the problem.

Doing nothing is not an option.

MrRected · 01/02/2014 12:23

Fwiw I know a number of tattooed motor cycle riders, who have never had a problem. They don't wear any identifying clothing though.

I have tattoos myself.

a1992 · 03/02/2014 04:06

MrRected, my issue with this law, is that they aint just targetting bikie gangs, but are basically painting everyone with the same brush. I know many guys and ladies, that have been stopped just because of riding a motorbike, and am aware of cases of friends gathering on their drives with friends, and being watched from across the street by police, and then when they pulled out, pulled over and searched etc... I have issues with things like this as when is to far?

Did you also hear about how they were contemplating a tattoo registration? I very much appose moves like this, which they deem trying to protect, where quite frankly it is none of their business if I have tattoos

StUmbrageinSkelt · 03/02/2014 04:16

The legislation is framed in such a way that it can be more widely used.

Our local Tribe of Judah motorcycle run to donate presents for needy kids at Xmas was stopped by the police under these laws. Perfectly law-abiding Christian bikies stopped doing the present run they have done for over a decade.

It's shocking, really shocking and the erosion of civil liberties under arsehole Newman is only going to continue. I lived in Q under Bjelke Petersen and Newman is another of that ilk if not worse.

hazchem · 03/02/2014 23:59

There is going to be a discussion on this topic on RN Law Report today at 5:30pm. Law report

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