AUSTRALIA - Motorbike riders to rev up at Parliament protest

OFF THE WIRE
A protest of mostly motorbike riders will converge on Parliament House on Sunday in opposition to anti-association laws that they say could infringe on people's rights.

The president of Freedom Rights Australia, the group behind the protest, said even though the laws were designed to target outlaw motorcycle gangs, they had potential to impact anyone in society.

Another member of the group, Ant Shurlock, also told Radio 6PR that he believed he'd been listed as an associate of an outlaw motorbike gang as he attends motorbike events.

Laws under the Criminal Organisations Control Act Outlaw came into effect towards the end of 2013.

The laws mean police will be able to apply to the courts to have a group declared a criminal organisation and could stop people associating.

A successful application would see members of the declared criminal organisation face mandatory minimum sentences if they were convicted of a range of serious offences, including associating with other member of the organisation.

Mr Shurlock said while police in WA were not yet enforcing the laws as strictly as they were in Queensland, he believed they were already making an impact.

"I believe I am listed as an associate, even though I am not a member of any motorcycle clubs, purely because I have attended motorcycle events such as the Bindoon Dirt Drags," he said.

"It's kind of like going to an Eagles home game and being listed as an Eagles supporter even if you're just a fan of footy or going to watch Essendon or whatever.

"The laws may in the future be abused because they are written so broadly that they can be used to target almost any association or group and the definition of an association or organisation is very loose in general in the wording of the Act."
The president of the group, who wanted to be known by her first name only, Kerin, said WA's anti-association laws, which could see people facing up to five years' jail, could rely on stereotyping and interrupt events such as Anzac Day marches.
"Anzac Day could be disrupted by police trying to catch people," Kerin said.
"A lot of [veterans] have motorbike clubs and naturally meet together, so whenever groups of bike riders get together, there is a chance they could be targeted."
Kerin said as a person who rides a motorbike, she was concerned that she and others like her could come under unwarranted attention from the police

"They are calling them bikie laws but that is a load of crap, they could affect every one of us," she said.
Kerin said she supported the police and understood they had to enforce law but believed the government should scrap the laws.
She said there was no need for such laws.

"The government introduced them to try and catch people breaking the law but there are already laws to catch them, these laws will target people wearing a vest and riding a motorbike in a group," Kerin said.

"If people are dealing drugs they are drug dealers and there is a law to catch them."

Organisers of Perth's Freedom Rally are expecting more than 300 people riding motorbikes from a number of gathering points throughout Perth and the South-West and meeting at Parliament about 10.30am on Sunday.

The Attorney General's office has been contacted for comment.

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/motorbike-riders-to-rev-up-at-parliament-protest-20140228-33plg.html#ixzz2uc1ogfE8