Bikies-only prison planned under new Queensland laws

Updated

The Queensland Government says elements of new anti-bikie laws will also apply to paedophilia rings.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie has just introduced the legislation into State Parliament for debate, having already revealed plans for a bikie-only prison.

He says bikies face mandatory additional sentences of up to 25 years for serious crimes, and so could paedophiles.

"The reason we've made a broad interpretation of that definition is so we can catch gangs that aren't operating under bikie colours or criminal motorcycle gang colours," he said.

"So this is very much trying to target all forms of organised crime in Queensland and that's why that will be applicable and the strong laws apply."

The Government's new laws include establishing a bikie-only prison where inmates are kept in their cells for up to 23 hours a day.

Premier Campbell Newman has promised to create the toughest anti-bikie legislation in the world.

Mr Newman says law-abiding motorbike riders have nothing to fear.

"But we do ask for their patience," Mr Newman said.

The laws include introducing a licensing regime for tattoo parlours and artists, banning bikie gang members, and extra powers for the Crime and Misconduct Commission.

They also allow motorcycles to be crushed as punishment for certain crimes.

Mr Bleijie says a bikie-only prison will be established at the Woodford Correctional Centre, north of Brisbane.

He says there will be mandatory sentences of 15 years for serious crimes committed as part of gang activity, on top of the normal penalty.

Club office bearers will be sentenced to another 10 years in jail, and parole will only be granted if the offender cooperates with police.

"Such offenders will be vicious, lawless associates and subject to extra punishment," Mr Bleijie said.

He says convicted bikies will be subject to strict drug tests and searches.

They will also have no gym facilities or television.

Phone calls will be monitored, except those relating to inmates' legal representation.

Inmates' mail will also be opened and censored, while visitor contact will be restricted to one hour a week.

Mr Bleijie says the tough new measures aim to stop outlaw gangs using prisons to recruit new members and develop business opportunities.

He says bikie criminals in other state prisons will be transferred to the new facility to thwart gangs' existing networks.

Government using 'shock and awe tactics'

The Australian Council for Civil Liberties (ACCL) has slammed the Government's plan for a bikies-only prison.

Qld anti-bikie laws include: Extra powers for Qld's Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC)

Bikie-only prison at Woodford, north of Brisbane

Mandatory sentences of 15 years for serious crimes committed as part of gang activity, on top of the normal penalty

Club office bearers will be sentenced to another 10 years in jail, and parole will only be granted if the offender cooperates with police

Convicted bikies subjected to strict drug tests and searches in prison

Bikie criminals in other state prisons to be transferred to Woodford

Introducing a licensing regime for tattoo parlours and artists, banning bikie gang members

Motorcycles to be crushed as punishment for certain crimes

ACCL president Terry O'Gorman says the measures are an outrageous return to draconian government.

"This is shock and awe tactics by the Queensland Government," he said.

"It is manic policy making where both the Attorney-General and the Premier have outrightly [sic] refused to consult with anyone except the police about these proposals.

"This is a return - pure and simple - to the [former Queensland premier Joh] Bjelke-Petersen era, where you introduce legislation, you refuse to consult with anyone.

"The police and the Premier proudly announced the other day that the only parliamentary check and balance, that's going to be bypassed.

"[Mr Newman] hasn't given any reason other than the fact I can because 'I have a thumping majority and I have no Upper House to control me'."

Debbie Kilroy, from the prisoner support group Sisters Inside, says the bikie-only prison will be the equivalent of solitary confinement.

"It's just a pack of fear-mongering and I suppose my concern is pushing young men further to the margins by keeping them in solitary confinement, which creates a number of issues, people can get quite angry," she said.

"They're obviously isolated, they can develop mental health issues, which brings another burden not only for them and their families, but also financially for the state."

Legal challenge possible

Criminal lawyer Bill Potts, who is representing the Finks motorcycle gang in a Supreme Court action, says the Government's plan for a bikies-only jail could be open to legal challenge.

Mr Potts says the Commissioner for Jails has the power to impose such conditions in some circumstances, but the State Government is taking that provision too far.

"It seems the Government is effectively trying to force perpetual cruel and unusual behaviour upon people for no good purpose," he said.

"We are seeing yet another over-reach and another step by the Government to effectively [enforce] extreme punishment upon people in circumstances where it is quite unnecessary."

The Queensland Opposition says the laws are being rushed through without proper scrutiny.

Yesterday Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said more details were needed.

"I'm in the dark - just as all Queenslanders are in the dark - in relation to the raft of amendments the Government is going to propose," she said.

"These laws - we need to get them right.

"They need to stand up to scrutiny in the High Court."

Police crackdown 'enters new phase'

Queensland Deputy Police Commissioner Brett Pointing says the new approach is necessary.

"Clubs are actively recruiting at the moment at an alarming rate," he said.

"The Rebels in Queensland have over 300 members. The Bandidos have over 200 members.

"The leadership of these clubs are younger, more aggressive, certainly more territorial.

"We're seeing a lot of this very, very violent gang activity spilling out onto the streets, spilling out into public places. And it terrifies the public."

He says the crackdown on outlaw motorcycle gangs has entered a new phase.

"Taskforce Maxima is very much a medium to long-term operation now," he said.

"The high intensity part is of the operation has pretty much drawn to a close and we're moving to this longer-term strategy of trying to bring an end to criminal motorcycle gangs in Queensland."

Topics: crime, crime-prevention, state-parliament, public-sector, qld

First posted