The Gold Coast Bulletin has obtained the LNP crime policy which aims to give the Gold Coast the safety net which existed under the tough VLAD laws by the former Newman Government.
“It is like VLAD. It will help the Gold Coast be a safer place for families and tourists,” Opposition justice minister Ian Walker told the Bulletin.
The five key reforms by the LNP include:
— allowing a police officer who reasonably suspects a person is a gang member to detain them without a warrant.
— any bikie in a public place with two or more bikies can expect to face a six month to three year jail sentence.
— ensuring any bikie who enters or attempts to enter a clubhouse commits an offence.
— restoring strong coercive powers to the to the Crime and Corruption Commission so immediate response hearings are an effective law tool and strong penalties in place for contempt.
— bail being refused for bikies unless they can show why custody is not justified.
Mr Walker said a key aspect of the policy was providing strong coercive powers to the CCC and the anti-association laws.
“We think it will be a return to those key things which kept the Gold Coast safe. It has been shown before that the laws worked,” he said.
Mr Walker said the timing of the release of the law reform package in the lead-up to next Saturday’s poll was critical.
Most of the VLAD laws would be phased out by Christmas after Labor through new legislation phased in its own reforms, he said.
The introduction of weaker Labor laws had coincided with reports by the Bulletin about renewed concerns of bikie activity on the Glitter Strip, he added.
A report last month detailed how two brutal bikie gangs with reputations for violence and heavy involvement in the drug trade have established chapters on or near the Coast.
Crime fighters are aware of the Dutch-based Satudarah and Comancheros mobilising in southeast Queensland after the CCC late last year launched investigative and intelligence hearings.
“Hearings under these new operations have predominantly focused on the establishment of the two new clubs in southeast Queensland, recruitment practices, violence and members’ drug trafficking activities,” the report said.
The ex-head of bikie-busting Taskforce Maxima police squad last year revealed “concern” about the notorious Comancheros trying to set up a Coast base.
Bulletin reporting last year flagged Comanchero gangsters reportedly returned to the Glitter Strip for the first time in two decades in June.
The LNP in its policy said: “Labor’s soft approach to organised crime is akin to rolling out the red carpet and welcoming bikie gangs and other criminal thugs back to Queensland.
“We are unapologetic about our strong stance on organised crime and keeping Queenslanders safe.”