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Qld to change anti-bikie laws again

Critics say Queensland's anti-bikie laws are already meeting their intended aim of dismantling gangs, so they don't need to be changed.

Queensland's premier and attorney general
Queensland's tough anti-bikie laws are set to be changed again after a loophole was found. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Queensland's anti-bikie laws are set to be changed again after a loophole was found allowing bikies who quit gangs to get bail.

The controversial laws call for "a person (who)is a participant" in an outlaw gang to be denied bail.

However, bikies who have quit can still be granted bail.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie wants to change the wording to say "is or was a participant" and will put the amendment to parliament next week.

Critics say that the laws are already meeting their intended aim of dismantling gangs, so they don't need to be changed.

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Australian Council for Civil Liberties president Terry O'Gorman says making a law retrospective would be unjust and contrary to the most fundamental tenet of the criminal law.

"Law changes made by parliament apply to future, not past conduct," he said in a statement.

Mr Bleijie labelled the criticism as "a storm in a teacup".

He said they would address the issues in the next sitting of parliament.

The government amended the laws last month after a typo was found that said bikies who assaulted a police officer or committed grievous bodily harm would only face a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk supports the stronger laws against organised crime, but said the need for another change highlighted the lack of consultation and scrutiny around the new laws.

"How many more times do we have to correct mistakes made by the state's first law officer," Ms Palaszczuk told reporters.

"These are fundamental mistakes that even a first-year law student could've picked up."

The loophole did not prevent a former bikie who recently quit the Hells Angels being refused bail a second time on Tuesday.

Michael Spence, 25, was first denied bail last month following his arrest on drug trafficking charges.

He applied for bail again in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday after the loophole was revealed.

However, Justice Margaret Wilson refused bail, saying the risk of Spence offending again and the risk to public safety was unacceptable.

Another former gang member allegedly involved in the drug operation was refused bail on Monday and a third man has dropped his application for bail.


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