We bikies deserve a hearing

Paul says:

06:58am | 11/08/09

Considering that our criminal roots and Australian culture (apart from you uppity SA free settlers) was spawned from a corrupt, sex dripping, violent ,drunken prison colony, there seems to be hypocrisy in the righteousness of the media and political elite. And when you look at some of our political parties and corporate crims, the apple didn’t land far from the tree. So why should we have our fundamental civil rights taken from us because one bikie got killed at the airport? It’s refreshing not to have Penburthy and Rann poncing around this site tossing our basic democratic rights around like it was China or Gitmo. With the loudmouthed neo-conservative himself, Herr Rann calling you Biker Terrorists. (Which is politically incorrect - the correct Orwellian insult should be Biker-Insurgents)

iansand says:

08:14am | 11/08/09

While I agree 100% with your comments on the erosion of freedom represented by these laws I can’t help wondering that if you devoted a bit of time to eliminating the rogue elements from your associations you would do a lot for your public image.  Little things like avoiding murderous brawls in airports and eschewing drive by shootings and firebombings of rivals’ premises would go a long way to improving your reputations.

groucho says:

08:25am | 11/08/09

The public’s perception of motorcycle gangs, Sir, is governed by the behavious of the gangs themselves.

Rival gangs beat a man to death in broad daylight in a public place. Part of a long-standing pattern of behavious seen around the country for decades past.

Violent gangs and violent members are not romantic outlaws. They are dangerous dickheads who have no place in a free country.

Tell your mates that.

Lexi says:

08:42am | 11/08/09

Absolutely.  These draconian laws are the thin edge of the wedge.  What happens when we have an (even more) conservative government, and the balance of power is held by fundamentalist Christians?  It won’t just be bikies in the headlights, it’ll be gays and lesbians, abortion clinics, unions - you name it.

If bikies are shooting people, selling drugs and being intimidating they can be pursued and charged under legislation that existed already.  Why remove freedom of speech, freedom of association and right to representation, as well as the right to know charges against you and the right to defend yourself against those charges?  These are fundamental principles of democracy and the Westminster system.

Zeta says:

09:40am | 11/08/09

Ferret, has anyone in your organisation bothered to read the anti-Outlaw Motorcycle Gang legislation? It’s pretty simple. Most of your cronies would be old enough to remember the old consorting provisions that prevented crooks from associating with other, known crooks. This legislation is no different, only coached in the post 9/11 language of ‘control orders’ and ‘declared organisations’.

Besides which, in New South Wales, the spineless Government have failed to even bother implementing their new laws. Bikies rejoice. Another piece of legislation passed for the cameras that gathers dust on the shelves.

I don’t like the fact that laws like this exist, but I also don’t like that fact that in Sydney in particular, the image of the portly, heavily tattooed Aussie larikin bikie, much like you, Ferret, has been propogated by Middle Eastern thugs with no interest in the lifestyle other than as a front for methanphetamine production and shonky stand over tactics.

Phil says:

10:19am | 11/08/09

Ferret - you have a big future ahead of you.

Easily the most lucid argument I’ve read on any topic in the last month or so.

Would you consider running as an independant candidate in the seat of Wentworth?

miles says:

10:31am | 11/08/09

Well said…and I fully support your choice of transport!
The worst thing about the media that perpetuates these views is that so often they don’t even believe it themselves. It is all so cynical. It is what they think you should think..or worse..what they think you think they should think.

stephen says:

10:47am | 11/08/09

When bikies got involved in the supply and manufacture of drugs, they crossed the line.
Checkmate brother.

iansand says:

10:54am | 11/08/09

Zeta@9:40 I thought the consorting legislation was repealed because it was abused.  Which is the problem we have here.

While we are reminiscing, what about the Special Branch in NSW and its rampant abuse of powers?  Unfortunately you cannot trust cops.

Andrew says:

11:00am | 11/08/09

Ferret, I hope you are reading the comments here as it might enlighten you on the Public Perception and the reasons why such laws have been introduced.  While certain liberties are being suppressed it is because of the behavior of
individuals who are simply criminals. Route out the criminal elements within the clubs and Motorcycle clubs would probably gain public favor and support.

Geoff Griffin says:

11:26am | 11/08/09

HERE-HERE TO DESERVING A HEARING & HERE-HERE TO ACTUALLY GETTING A HEARING…FINALLY !
Isnt it comical how some journos and authority reps squirm and cringe at the fact these so-called criminals get an uninterupted shot at providing a balance to this spin-war-which-sells-fear-for-votes !  Not so quick are they to admit that they’ve had 40 years of uncontested ‘hearings’ attacking anyone even remotely linked to Bikers, and now that the pendulum of free speech has swung its arc into the targets world my my dont they whine.. 
If this free speech intrusion into ‘their’ world is so abhorrant imagine the tiz they’d get themselves into if confronted with the possibility of imprisonment for maintaining a friendship !
Keep up the good work, the Irish got rid of the Internment Laws during the troubles, South Africa got rid of apartheid, The Allies got rid of the Nazis, so unjust laws just dont last, just like tough times, but tough people do when they stand up.

G says:

11:37am | 11/08/09

I too watched with great interest the presentation at the NPC and then I got a copy of the SA Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Act 2008 and was frankly dumbfounded with what I read.

I have been a biker for 30 yrs and have a zero criminal past but with these laws come the real threat of me breaking that clean slate with relation to Association.  I attend parties, runs and bike shows by many different Clubs and according to this law if I attend more than 6 in one year (with different Clubs) I can be found to be braking this ridiculous law and go to gaol for 5 yrs with right to see what evidence has been used to convict me.

I do agree that for years the Clubs have put themselves out there and when the #@#@ has hit the fan they have remained silent whether the ‘facts’ were factual or not.  I also agree that some members of the Clubs are criminals pure and simple but and this is the BIG BUT, to brand any organisation criminal based on the conduct of some of it’s members is ludicrous in the extreme.

The most amusing fact here is that the majority of people will happily tag politicians and reporters as only slightly more believable than used car salesmen until the word ‘bikie’ is used and then of course the media and politicians are 100% honest with no personal agendas.

I would be more than happy to discuss these laws with anyone willing enough to also read them and then have sensible unemotive discussion based on the real facts.  Laws of this sort have been banned in most countries in fact we did have a laws like this once before but it was removed from our Legislation in I believe 1795 due to it’s inequities and the possibility of abuse by authoritarian bodies.

watto says:

11:58am | 11/08/09

Judge @stephen - how many years do you sentence Ferret to? I agree, run for politics Ferret, it would at least make politics half-watchable and entertaining to see some cocky Roosters lose a few feathers.

N says:

12:51pm | 11/08/09

The amazing thing with all this is that Governments often use ‘expert’ commentary and research when designing Laws but seemingly only if it fits their political agenda. One would think that an expert criminologists life long research would count for something in the construction of legislation to cure a criminal problem… Yes ? Why is it then that Prof Wilsons take on the failings of this legislative direction is being shunned ? He and many, many other members of the academic and legal fraternity have loudly voiced their objections to blanket laws outlawing friendships,  yet Govts persist along this path !  It is this fact just mentioned that really settles the argument for me, this campaign against a minority is really about scare mongering to create fear then provide the solution, just vote us back in so we can deliver ! and that is , in my book,  as mischievous as the 0.03 - 0.06% of all crime that some of these Bikers have been involved in.

Gulliver says:

01:10pm | 11/08/09

Not to denigrate the gutsy opportunity given to the UMC and the academics supportive of their stance but I see the biggest problem with the Press club event is that it probably went unoticed by so many that needed to see it.  Midday Wed is not really a time slot with the audience numbers to make a bg impact, even worse the 3.25 am repeat ! Imagine the eye opener it could be if ABC had the gumption to re-run it primetime with the sort of promo’s given to ‘other bikie stories’... we can only hope ! meanwhile the internet is at least keeping the pot simmering, The Sleeping Giant Has Awoken. ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Nick says:

01:22pm | 11/08/09

“The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one’s time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all.” - HL Mencken

stephen says:

01:42pm | 11/08/09

No time@ Watto. Ferret has chosen to be spokesman, then let him continue, but the public should not be duped into believing ‘career’ motorcyclists are not dangerous.
Sympathy should be reserved for children and youth who get caught up in the drugs cycle.

G says:

01:54pm | 11/08/09

Stephen I am sorry to say that no matter what you may have heard youth generally don’t get their drugs from ‘Bikies’ I have been a Biker for 30 yrs and in that time I have also been a professional musician and I can tell you from a position of knowledge NOT second hand media driven hysteria that it is much easier to get drugs in the music business than it is in biker circles.

Don’t believe me? next time you go out, oh better take off your cardigan first, duck down to the closest rave and ask pretty much anyone for drugs and you will score within minutes after of course answering that most important question “What sort of drugs do you want?”.  Now next time there is a bike show in your area, try the same there and you will be met with incredulous stares if not downright hostility for having the temerity to ask such a question.  Grow up open your eyes and for your own sake start thinking for yourself.

Jeff says:

02:08pm | 11/08/09

Ferret - justify that the wearing of a one percenter badge (or tattoo) is not a public statement of an intention to break the law if the wearer feels like breaking the law? I think it is just such a statement and until bikies stop advertising their contempt for the law and their intention to break the law, they will be treated like lawbreakers or future lawbreakers.  i refer to it’s origins from the Hollister ‘riot’ (which some bikies may not even know about).

Steve B says:

02:33pm | 11/08/09

stephen says:
When bikies got involved in the supply and manufacture of drugs, they crossed the line.
Checkmate brother.
August 11th, 2009 at 10:47am

Would that be the same line the Catholic Church crossed when it decided to implement a policy of covering up child abuse and protecting the perpetrators from prosecution? I know which one I feel is far, far worse, but it seems the Government doesn’t agree. Surely the same controls should be applied?

G says:

03:00pm | 11/08/09

Thankyou Steve B as a founding member of Biker Against Child Abuse in this country I completely agree with your comments.

Just one more thing people a number of you have referred to the Hollister Riot for god’s sake there was NO Hollister riot there was a leg of the gypsy tour in which a few guys got drunk and road there bikes around town.  Before you bleat on about Media rubbish check your facts people.

In 1947 in Hollister 4000 people rode into town for a leg of the AMA Gypsy tour, by the end of the weekend 50 bikers have suffered minor injuries sustained through racing and drunken revelry.  They were charged with misdemeanours: public drunkeness, disorderly conduct, and reckless driving.  No one was killed or raped; there was no destruction of property, no arson, or looting; in fact, no locals suffered any harm at all.

So you can see that even from the start it has been proven simple to attack biker with fabricated nonsense just to sell papers, Time magazine ran a front page photo for Hollister which took some 2 hours to stage and the person shown sitting on the bike, did not in fact own the bike nor had a ridden a bike that day but hey lets not let the truth get in the way of a good story.  One would have hoped that 62 years later we might have learnt something about honesty in journalism.

watto says:

03:19pm | 11/08/09

@stephen And do you have sympathy for Catholic abused kids too? A child abuse national network, embedded into each suburb. Systemic coverups, while existing under the convenient blind eye of lawmakers longer than meth labs have been around. Doesn’t even need a 1% bad boy badge because god says you give 10% of all your earthly takings sunshine. Plus,  a little extra in your will when you die. There’s a scam that trumps meth labs looking at some of the premo real estate and bling getting flashed around.  Bit confusing when crims wear suits, robes or uniforms hey? Read my earlier post about hypocrisy. Checkmate Brother Stephen.

Tony says:

04:12pm | 11/08/09

the truth is that these laws can be used against anybody,they take away your right to appeal,they take away your right to adress the evidence against you and they take away your right to the presumtion of innocence until proven guilty,guilt is decided on the balance of probabilities. as to the integrity and honesty of our police forces,maybe we should talk to Mr Fitzgerald on this subject. im sure he could enlighten a few of you. have no doubt that these laws will be used against anybody the police want to use them against.

Adam says:

07:17am | 12/08/09

We’re giving voices to bikies now? FFS. These people are just about scum of the earth. When they decided to become career criminals (1%‘s) by infiltrating nightclubs as bouncers/security guards/hired goons to peddle their drugs they should’ve lost all rights to be heard. What about the young people who are now drug addicts? What about the voices of all the innoncent killed, injured or stood over by these thugs?

Ask yourself this why are these laws a good thing? Because look how many bikies are squealing like stuck pigs.

Pete Davies says:

08:25am | 12/08/09

Yeah and put Premier Mike Rann in the Joh Bjeke Peterson museum for failed police state Premiers - as a warning to future generations of democratic Aussies.

G says:

09:55am | 12/08/09

Adam a wise man once said

Best to be thought a fool rather than opening your mouth and removing all doubt.

Streaky says:

02:26pm | 13/08/09

Adam are you serious? Wow mate that is the most shallow and small minded thing i have ever heard…..I still cant believe you said it.

Mac says:

07:41pm | 13/08/09

Streaky, it’s like p***ing in the wind mate, the media have almost everything attached to bikies, Adam was probably not a wise man ! And if he thinks these laws will not affect “joe citizen” he is sadly mistaken, it’s the thin edge of the wedge, once Mr Citizen is convinced that the govt will make Aust safer, he becomes the next target.  A democy we arent,’ more like a form of a Despotism govt

openslather says:

11:07am | 13/11/10

Ferret has every right to have his say on behalf of the UMC .Correcting fictional activities attributed to alleged bikies.If a bloke lives on the same street as a biker and says hello just once,he will be considered as an associate.I have mates from school who are,Bandido,Black Ulan or Hells Angel.If you want to lock me up from catching up with old mates,then so be it.SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MOTORCYCLE CLUB.

www.thepunch.com.au says:

01:11pm | 05/04/11

We bikies deserve a hearing.. May I repost it?

www.thepunch.com.au says:

10:14am | 03/06/11

We bikies deserve a hearing.. Keen