Shootings rekindle debate on gang laws

A Rebels Motorcycle Club patch and jacket. Photo / NZ Police

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman says he will consider using Labor laws that his party opposes to crack down on bikie gangs.

A double shooting - of a man linked to an outlaw bikie gang and an innocent bystander - at a Gold Coast shopping centre on Saturday has reignited debate about measures to deal with gang violence and organised crime.

Both victims are recovering in hospital while the search for the gunman continues.

A Gold Coast tattoo parlour was also sprayed with bullets last week.

Newman said yesterday that the Liberal National Party Government would consider "using the laws it inherited from the Labor Party" to declare it illegal to associate with or be a member of particular bikie gangs.

He acknowledged he and his party had on numerous occasions criticised Labor's Criminal Organisation Act, which empowers Supreme Court judges to make "declarations" at the request of the police commissioner.

"This is Australia. We don't put people in jail for wearing leather jackets, having tattoos or a particular hairstyle," Newman said.

"Nevertheless, we will give it a go. We have now a situation where the police commissioner can say that this particular group have been involved in the activities we've seen in the last 10 days."

- AAP