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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Daniella White

Government has 'blood on its hands' over bikie laws: Hanson

Shadow attorney-general Jeremy Hanson is an advocate for anti-consorting laws. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

Shadow Attorney-General claims the government has blood on its hands over its failure to implement anti-consorting laws in the territory.

Jeremy Hanson told the Legislative Assembly he would make introducing the laws his number one priority, should the Liberals win government at the October election.

Mr Hanson says police on the ground are desperately frustrated by the government's refusal to introduce the laws. "Implement anti-consorting laws and give the police the tools they need to keep our community safe before you end up with more blood on your hands," he said.

Unlike NSW, Victoria and Queensland, the ACT does not have anti-consorting laws that prevent outlaw motorcycle gang members from associating with each other either in person or online.

The debate over the laws has intensified since Comanchero bikie boss Pitasoni Tali Ulavalu was killed in a brawl at a popular nightspot in Civic. Police do not have anyone in custody.

He had bail conditions lifted by the courts less than a week before the incident, allowing him to attend a licensed premises.

Mr Hanson's motion calling on the government to introduce the laws was on Thursday rejected.

Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said there was no evidence the laws were effective, and accused the opposition of searching for a media headline.

"The fact that anti-consorting laws do not work does not matter [to the opposition]," he said

"It is easy to drum up fear in the community. But that is irresponsible and divisive. It is easy to promise zero crime. But that is a fantasy."

ACT Bar Association said it was concerned by the Liberals' attempts to once again gain support for the "draconian" laws.

"There is no evidence that anti-consorting laws work in Australia or would work in the ACT," president Steven Whybrow said.

"Recent reports suggest there are only about 30 bikies active in Canberra who are all well known to police.

"These laws, whilst seemingly directed to deal with those 30 or so outlaw motorcycle gang members, will apply with equal force to the other 350,000 citizens of the Territory.

"Experience has demonstrated in other jurisdictions that such laws are disproportionately applied against vulnerable members of society including indigenous and indigent persons and those suffering from mental health issues."

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