Two alleged bikies arrested while having drinks with friends at a Sunshine Coast pub have been found not guilty of charges brought under Queensland's anti-bikie laws.
Scott Conley and his half brother Steven Michael Smith were charged with illegally gathering in a public space under the Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment (VLAD) law.
They were part of a group of men accused of having links to the outlawed Rebels bikie gang who met at the Yandina Hotel.
They were charged with breaking the provision of the VLAD law that prohibits three or more people with links to criminal gangs from meeting in public.
Brisbane magistrate Annette Hennessy said she was satisfied Mr Conley had taken adequate steps to disassociate himself from the Rebels after he realised strict legal changes were coming.
The court heard Mr Conley had resigned from the Rebels in July 2013, disassociated from all club activities and severed all ties with members except family.
This included handing in his Rebels vest and selling his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
"I cannot find beyond reasonable doubt Mr Conley was at the time of the offence a participant of a criminal organisation," Ms Hennessy said.
Co-accused Paul Lansdowne will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court via video link later today.
Dan Whale has had his matter adjourned until November 24.
VLAD law repealed but some provisions will remain
The VLAD law will cease to exist by December 2018, after Labor scrapped it in favour of new legislation to target gang members who recruit others.
In November last year, State Parliament passed the Serious and Organised Crime Legislation Amendment Bill with the help of Katter's Australian Party (KAP) MPs, which was designed to replace the VLAD legislation.
While outlaw motorcycle gangs will still be targeted, the bill also covers other organised crime including child exploitation rings, fraudulent boiler room operations and drug trafficking.
