The Newman Government's proposed bikie laws shred the rule of law. It's dangerous stuff but the question that must concern us all is, why stop at bikie gangs? writes Greg Barns.

The Liberal National Party government of Queensland Premier Campbell Newman yesterday introduced new laws as part of its 'war' on bikie gangs that might make even Russian president and renowned authoritarian Vladimir Putin blush.

And because the Newman government dominates the state's Legislative Assembly, and there is no upper house to scrutinise proposed laws, the dark image of Queensland as a repressive state, engendered by the excesses of the government of Joh Bjelke Petersen 40 years ago, is well and truly alive again.

Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie yesterday introduced into the Parliament the Orwellian named Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Bill which the government says is "designed to severely punish members of criminal organisations that commit serious offences".  

Essentially it means that if you are associated with a bikie gang and commit a crime "for the purpose of participating in the affairs of" that organisation you will be declared a 'vicious lawless associate' and you get a further 15 years mandatory imprisonment on top of the sentence imposed on you; and if you hold an official position in the organisation you get another 10 years imprisonment on top of the 15 years. 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-16/barns-queensland-bikie-laws/5025742

The Nazis in Queensland are ugly, religious and out of their minds...

Your eccentric aunt, Laura Norder, has recently started a new relationship with Jarrod, a member of the Finks Motorcycle Club. You have met Jarrod and a couple of his mates, also members of the Finks Motorcycle Club, on one occasion before.

You head out to the park with all the other members of the family.

As you are enjoying your steak and beverage Fred’s friends arrive on their motorcycles and join in the fun. You have a chat with them about the football game last weekend.

Under the new so called “Anti-Bikie” laws you and possibly other members of your family have committed an offence for which you could all be gaoled for a minimum of six months. On top of that, you could be potentially liable to being hauled before the CMC to answer questions about Jarrod and his two mates.

This is what happens when governments pass laws that make people liable not for what they have done but for who they associate with — innocent people get hurt.

These laws make no mention whatsoever of Bikies. They apply to any association.

You are a member of the local bowls or golf club. You get involved in a scuffle trying to throw a misbehaving member out of the club. You are convicted of wounding, which simply requires that the true skin of the other person is broken. Under these laws, you get an extra 15 years added to your gaol sentence.

http://www.independentaustralia.net/2013/politics/queenslands-anti-bikies-laws-were-all-criminals-now/