BIKER NEWS: Bikie laws to make Victoria a haven for outlaw gangs, Opposition says

BN- LOOPHOLES in new anti-bikie laws will make Victoria a haven for outlaw gangs, claims the state Opposition.
Shadow attorney-general John Pesutto told state Parliament that anti-consorting legislation introduced by the Andrews Government this week was not tough enough.

The new legislation proposes police could stop convicted criminals from associating at the pub, at clubhouses or even on social media such as Facebook.

Attorney-General Martin Pakula introduced the Bill on Tuesday, saying it would give police unprecedented powers to target bikie gangs and criminal networks.

The Herald Sun revealed the new laws would be a key tool for Victoria Police’s elite Echo taskforce, which aims to disrupt criminal gangs.

While Mr Pesutto agreed police needed new powers, he warned criminals would still be allowed to meet up to five times in a six-month period ­before being charged with the new offence.

He said another exemption allowed people to escape punishment if associating for business purposes or if participating in a union strike.

Mr Pesutto said the ­Coalition would not block the laws, but added: “The regimen is not nearly as tough as it needs to be. New South Wales has a much more limited range of exemptions.”

Labor MP for Niddrie Ben Carroll told Parliament the laws were tough enough, and would have a big impact on disrupting crime.

“Giving police powers to disrupt criminal gangs is key to disrupting the supply of ice, with evidence from the Australian Crime Commission showing outlaw motorcycle gangs are playing a more prominent role in Australia’s methamphetamine market,” he said.

More: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/bikie-laws-to-make-victoria-a-haven-for-outlaw-gangs-opposition-says/story-fni0fit3-1227530980728