Bikie clubs set aside rivalries to fight State Government's tough anti-gang laws

WA’s bikie clubs have set aside rivalries and created a fighting fund to challenge the State’s anti-gang laws. Troy Mercanti is emerging as the likely applicant for an imminent High Court action. Mercanti will likely be chosen because he is subject to the four planks of the Government’s anti-bikie crack down: insignia laws, dispersal notices, anti-consorting orders and firearms prohibition orders. The communal fund will bankroll what is likely to be a long and expensive legal action. About 50 bikies and their lawyers have had at least two meetings in recent months to discuss tactics. Mercanti’s high-profile lawyer Paul Holmes said the atmosphere in the room was determined. “Police are often on the front foot speaking about bikies as a collective that cause significant harm to the community,” he said. “However, there are members of outlaw motorcycle gangs that join solely for the brotherhood and have no criminal record whatsoever. “They are drawn into the legislation by a tattoo that might have been inked 40 years ago as a juvenile.” Mr Holmes said officers were using the laws “as a form of annoyance rather than an investigative tool”. “Recently, the Gypsy Jokers had a day of drag racing at which dispersal notices were handed out at the front gate and drones were used to pick out members of the crowd showing them ‘associating’ with other members,” he said. Attorney-General John Quigley used Tuesday’s Question Time to lampoon the court action. “These people, these one percenters who say they’re outside the law are going to the High Court begging the judges to intercede,” he said. “Bring it on. There is no doubt that the anti-consorting and dispersal laws have been effective. We do not see the mobs riding on our streets anymore. “No wonder the bikies are squealing and going to the point of going to Canberra to ask the judges to protect their businesses.” Mr Quigley also addressed reports that bikies were considering forming a political party, a move he said would be “manna from heaven”. It is understood the gangs are looking at political action because it will create a separate constitutional argument if members of a Federally registered political party are unable to associate because of State laws. Mr Quigley made the point that political parties had to register the names and addresses of members. “This is going to keep the gang crime squad busy for a month,” he said.