Premier Mike Rann has been exposed as a weak ‘do nothing’ Premier when it comes to bikie gangs, Shadow Police Minister Rob Lucas said today.
“After talking tough on bikie gangs and their fortresses for more than six years, he has failed to demolish one bikie fortress”, Mr Lucas said.
“In fact, they are flourishing in local suburbs:
• Finks – Thebarton;
• Rebels – Royal Park;
• Hells Angels – Edwardstown; and
• Gypsy Jokers – Wingfield.
“For six years Mr Rann has made many promises (list attached) about knocking down bikie fortresses such as:
‘Let’s stop them (bikies) doing this and if they go ahead and do it, I want to be on the bulldozer’.
Mike Rann, The Advertiser, 29 June 2002
“These outlaw motorcycle gangs have websites complete with detailed histories, lists of sponsors and descriptions of organisational structure.
“Bikie gang membership remains strong and the production and distribution of illicit drugs continues.
“Police operations such as Operation Avatar make it clear that drugs, violence and other illegal activities associated with bikie gangs are still rife in the community.
“The Liberal Party believes that Operation Avatar – established by the former Liberal Government – should have its resources increased to assist it in its ongoing battle with bikie gangs.
“This is a clear example of a Premier who talks tough about bikie gangs and fortresses but does nothing. Once you peel back the façade, there is nothing there.
“Mr Rann, when will you keep your promise and demolish bikie fortresses?”
Rann and his Ministers on bikie gangs
November 2000
“No sensible person would want a bikie fortress in their street or neighbourhood. Our Councils need stronger powers to stop these monstrosities being built in our communities …
“Yet our suburbs are dotted with bikie fortresses with walls of railway sleepers, razor wire and closed circuit TV surveillance.
“It’s time we tackled the problem in South Australia. Too much crime has been associated with these fortresses.”
Mike Rann, media release, 16 November 2000
June 2002
‘Let’s stop them (bikies) doing this and if they go ahead and do it, I want to be on the bulldozer’.
Mike Rann, The Advertiser, 29 June 2002
September 2003
Mr Rann says his legislation would ban fortifications on bikie gang headquarters and also give police powers to forcibly remove or bulldoze illegal fortifications.
“Many bikie gang headquarters are simply fortresses for making illegal drugs.”
Mike Rann, media release, 12 September 2003
October 2003
“This Government will not tolerate bikie gangs creating no-go zones for police in our suburbs and towns. These fortresses enable criminals to further their illegal activities, including the manufacture and distribution of drugs, encouraging dangerous turf wars between rival gangs.”
Attorney-General Atkinson, media release, 21 October 2003
May 2004
“I promised at the last election that a Labor Government would crack down on bikie gang clubrooms that are housed inside suburban fortresses that are built like bunkers in a war zone.”
Mike Rann, media release, 16 May 2004
25 July 2004
“As I have said repeatedly, this Government will not tolerate bikie gangs creating no-go zones for police in our suburbs and towns.”
Mike Rann, media release, 25 July 2004
22 January 2006
“It was this Government who introduced the anti-fortification laws to tear down bikie headquarters which for too long have been home to illegal drug operations as well as other criminal activities.”
Police Minister Foley, media release, 22 January 2006