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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-06-19 Daily Xml
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Question Time

MOTORCYCLE GANGS

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Police a question about outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. Wortley interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: The Hon. Russell Wortley just interjected that there will not be any here soon and that they are going to get rid of them. That is an appropriate interjection. Earlier this week—

The Hon. R.P. Wortley interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Have you finished? Earlier this week we saw in Adelaide the funeral of Wayne 'Chiller' McGrath, and a number of bikie gang members came to Adelaide. Given this government's commitment to crack down on outlaw motorcycle gangs—

The Hon. R.P. Wortley interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Wortley will come to order.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Chuck him out. Did he say that no daughter is safe? You are a disgrace. You are a waste of space.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Talking about other members' daughters is a disgrace.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I will get to my question if that disgrace would be quiet.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Ridgway has the call, and members of the opposition will come to order.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Thank you for your protection, Mr President. Given the government's strong stance on bikies, can the minister please advise how many expiation notices were handed out to non-helmet wearing bikies attending the funeral of Wayne 'Chiller' McGrath on Wednesday?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (14:21): There was a funeral service for Mr McGrath (a member of the Gypsy Jokers Motorcycle Club) that took place at a funeral parlour at Ridgehaven before travelling to Smithfield Cemetery.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: No, I did not, actually. I am advised that officers from the Crime Gangs Task Force spoke with members of the Gypsy Jokers Motorcycle Club to identify the funeral arrangements. I am advised that police experience is that funerals of this nature usually attract the attendance and participation of all members of the club in the cortege between the service and the cemetery. As is the past practice—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: The laws don't apply.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: —of the police in relation to these types of events, while the obligation of police to enforce the wearing of motorcycle safety helmets is recognised, a determination was made prior to the funeral to make observations of those offending in order to provide evidence for subsequent action. SAPOL members filmed the movement of the cortege and they will view the film to identify those who failed to wear helmets to enable traffic infringement notices to be issued in response to the offending.

That is a very sensible way for the police to monitor such events. The only other strategy available would have been to halt the funeral process. Given the known character and behaviour of those involved, the nature of the event and the consequent emotion, it would have had the potential to result in a significant confrontation. The police, through the Crime Gangs Task Force, have had experience in policing these matters. I think their action is entirely appropriate. Where members do not wear helmets, they will be issued with a traffic infringement notice following the viewing of the tapes. I believe that would be the appropriate way to deal with these things rather than, as I said, take action which would clearly have resulted in significant confrontation. What is important is that the law is upheld, and it will be.

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