Starting his scoot

A club member starting his motorcycle 

Anti-bikie laws passed by Tasmanian Parliament

Tasmania, Australia (September 27, 2018) BTN — Anti-consorting laws designed to combat Motorcycle Clubs is gaining a foothold in Tasmania have passed through State Parliament.

The state's Legislative Council agonised over the legislation late into Wednesday night before holding a final vote on Thursday morning.

The House of Assembly then ticked off on changes made by the Upper House on Thursday afternoon.

The quick passage of this bill, which was only tabled in Parliament 10 days ago, follows legislation passed at the end of August to outlaw motorcycle gang members from wearing colours.

The Government hopes the anti-consorting bill will disrupt organised crime groups such as motorcycle clubs by making it illegal for a convicted offender to consort with another convicted offender within five years of being given an official warning notice.

Five amendments to the bill made by the Legislative Council were accepted by the House of Assembly on Thursday, including one that would allow a court to issue a stay on a warning notice if it was being appealed by the recipient.

Police Minister Michael Ferguson described the amendment as unnecessary and unwarranted and said he was "not happy" about it, but reluctantly agreed to ensure the bill would pass.

Upper House agonises over bill

Debate in the Legislative Council inched forward late into Wednesday night, with individual words in the legislation being singled out and objected to by Labor and independent members alike amid widespread concerns about civil rights, unintended consequences and the powers of law enforcement authorities in relation to a number of clauses and sub-clauses.

Leader of Government Business Leonie Hiscutt told opponents the Government was "very disappointed" by their stonewalling, repeatedly defending the legislation as having "the most safeguards of all the state and territories in the country".

"Police have done an enormous amount of work on this ... there's still misunderstandings of the bill," she said.

In an at-times emotional marathon sitting, independent member for Huon, Robert Armstrong, who identifies as Aboriginal, warned members they could "put the whole Aboriginal community offside" with the debate over a particular sub-clause involving traditional Aboriginal definitions of family.

"I'm not quite sure how to put this across because I've got to be careful," he said.

"It's a very sensitive issue and you could put the whole Aboriginal community offside. I just warn people ... don't dig too deep here."

'We're between a rock and a hard place'

Ms Hiscutt told the House the Tasmanian Bar had raised concerns about "possible inequities" if the bill was expanded to include a broader definition of family "to include extended family such as uncles, aunts, cousins of Aboriginal people only, creating an inequity between Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people".

"It would not be appropriate to allow the extended definition of family for one race of people but only immediate family member relations for others."

Ms Hiscutt said it was important not to offend but that a "broader concept of extended family" would widen the defence substantially, rendering the proposed consorting laws ineffective. But she also said "if it's the tradition, it will be respected".

Labor accused the Government of failing to consult with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community over the proposed legislation, demanding proof it had spoken with Aboriginal leaders. Independent MP Rob Valentine told the House the issue was "a very sensitive thing" and "in a sense it puts us between a rock and a hard place".

"I'm going to support the Government's amendment ... at the end of the day, it will be the Government that will have to deal with how they've chosen to go forward on this," he said.

SOURCE: ABC.net

Hells Angels MC associate charged following raid

Lilyvale, NSW. (September 27, 2018) BTN — A Hells Angels bikie has been charged after Strike Force Raptor located a rifle and an air file during a search warrant at Lilyvale, near Helensburgh.

Earlier this month, investigators from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor commenced an investigation following reports of illicit firearm supply involving the Hells Angels motorcycle club.

Strike Force Raptor executed a search warrant at a property at Lilyvale about 6.45am yesterday.

During the search, police located and seized a .22 caliber rifle and ammunition, a lever action air rifle and pellets, and steroids. A 30-year-old man was arrested at the property and taken to Sutherland Police Station.

The man, who is an associate of the Hells Angels MC, was charged with two counts each of possess unregistered firearm (non-prohibited, not pistols), Possess ammunition without holding a valid license/permit/authority, and not keep firearm safely-not prohibited firearm/pistol, and possess prohibited drug.

He was refused bail and is to appear at Sutherland Local Court today.

Inquiries are continuing.

SOURCE: The Leader

Three in custody, including MC member in 2016 double murder

Apache Junction, AZ. (September 26, 2018) BTN — The Pinal County Sheriff's Office says three men have been identified in connection with a 2016 double homicide in Apache Junction.

According to the sheriff's office, 31-year-old Clint Wendelschafer, a member of the Loose Cannons MC, was arrested on Tuesday near Ellsworth and Adobe roads in Mesa. He was wanted for his involvement in the murders of 51-year-old Keith Andrew Long and 45-year-old Renae Gardner in May 2016.

Long and Gardner were asleep when they were shot and killed at their Apache Junction home. Sheriff's office says their bodies were eventually dumped in separate places; Long's body was found in a canal in San Tan Valley and Gardner's body was found along the Beeline Highway.

During the investigation, officials learned that 33-year-old Nicholas Douglas of San Tan Valley and 41-year-old Demian Blu of Apache Junction were at the scene at the time of the murders. Several days later, Blu and Douglas reportedly went back to dump the bodies and clean up the scene.

Loose Cannons MC Back Patch

Wendelschafer is facing charges of assisting in a street gang and conspiracy to commit murder.

Blu is in custody for burglary, assisting in a street gang, concealment of a body, and hindering prosecution of first degree murder. Douglas is in Arizona Department of Corrections custody for an unrelated weapons offense.

All three will face additional charges.

SOURCE: ABC15