A shooting incident at Tweed Heads has reignited debate about gang activity on the Gold Coast, even as Queensland police say the incident was not gang related.
There were reports that a man who was dumped at Tweed Heads Hospital on Saturday with a gunshot wound to the stomach was a bikie.
But NSW Police later said the man, who died, was not a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang, and his shooting was not linked to a bike brawl on State of Origin night.
Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker said the Palaszczuk government's changes to the previous LNP government's bikie laws had increased crime on the coast.
"There's no rabbit proof fence, there's no doubt anything that happens (on the Tweed) spills over into Queensland," Mr Walker said.
"If this sort of thing is happening on our doorstep it mirrors reports that show bikies are also fighting for territory around Brisbane, the Bandidos and Comancheros reported to be having turf brawls."
But Queensland government frontbencher Grace Grace said police have told the government they have the powers and resources to crack down on gangs on the Gold Coast.
"My understanding is the problem hasn't gotten any worse and that it is getting better," Ms Grace said on Sunday.
"The laws are very streamlined and very well received by the police, they've had great input into them and we believe they are some of the best laws in Australia."
She said the laws put in place by the Palaszczuk government were some of the toughest in the country, and urged the NSW government to adopt them.
The laws replaced the former Newman government's "Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment" or VLAD laws, which were criticised for their focus on bikies to the exclusion of other forms of organised crime.
Share
