Queensland consorting laws: More than 100 warnings issued in two months

NO ONE has been charged under Queensland’s new consorting laws, despite more than 100 warnings being issued since March.

The laws are designed to prevent association with two or more convicted criminals.

The state’s corruption watchdog has launched two ­investigations into the attempted infiltration of bikie gangs in Queensland.

Detective Superintendent Mark Niland.

Despite no charges being laid, Detective Superintendent Mark Niland has backed the new laws which came into ­effect in March, saying six to 12 months was needed for them “to play out”.

Supt Niland said that the number of patched bikies in Queensland had fallen from 1158 in October 2013 to 695, but they remained a serious threat. Four members of the feared Comancheros gang live on the Gold Coast.

Supt Niland said police were working to stop the Comancheros – one of the gangs involved in the infamous Milperra Massacre bikie shoot-out in the 1980s – from establishing a Queensland chapter.

Shadow Police Minister Tim Mander said bikie gangs were operating increasingly brazenly under the new laws.

But Police Minister Mark Ryan denied the legislation had let bikies return and said Queensland’s laws were the toughest in the nation.