Post by buster on Apr 19, 2009 17:04:32 GMT 10
Bikie gangs to work as one under United Motorcycle Council of Queensland
published in The Australian from AAP
19 April 2009
ALL 17 of Queensland's bikie clubs have united under a parent body to stamp out violence and lobby government.
In an historic move, disparate motorcycle gangs including Lone Wolf, Finks, Hells Angels, Life and Death, Tribe of Judah, Bandidos and Rebels rode side by side to officially launch the United Motorcycle Council of Queensland (UMCQ) in Brisbane today.
This comes in the wake of tough anti-bikie laws being implemented by the Queensland and Federal governments since the Hells Angels and Comancheros were involved in a fatal brawl at Sydney airport last month.
UMCQ spokesman John Parker said the formation of the council began in earnest about 18 months ago after a brawl on the Gold Coast between the Hells Angels and and Finks.
"We get bad press all the time," Mr Parker, a Rebels member, said.
"We are only a small percentage of Australians who ride motorcycles and a very small percentage of us that run into trouble."
Two members of each club will meet weekly to discuss grievances, proposed laws affecting bikies and the public perception. Mr Parker said the council would stop any trouble that might occur between the clubs and possibly take legal action to challenge proposed bikie laws.
"We used to sit on our hands and take all of this (being unfairly targeted by government, media and police) but that's the end of that now," he said.
"We are going to pull together."