Queensland's controversial gangs legislation is set to be replaced by organised crime laws that will have a better chance of standing up in court.
The state government on Monday announced its interim response to the Taskforce on Organised Crime Legislation, which was reviewing the former Newman government's Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment (VLAD) Act and associated laws, after its report was made public.
The 416-page report offered 60 recommendations, including repealing the VLAD Act, which bans gang associates from meeting in public and increases their sentences for other crimes by up to 25 years.
The taskforce instead recommended the VLAD Act be replaced with an "organised crime framework", which would replace many of the laws unlikely to stand up in the High Court.
Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said the government would review the recommendations, but had so far agreed to adopt at least three.
They include introducing a new serious organised crime circumstance of aggravation in lieu of an actual offence for specific crimes relating to drugs, violence and fraud.
People convicted of a crime with that aggravating factor would face mandatory jail and be placed on a control order, similar to those used in cases involving terrorists or repeat serious sexual offenders.
"I want to make it very clear here today for those in outlaw motorcycle gangs and criminals out there who think that the doors are going to be reopened," Ms D'Ath said.
"Not only are they closed, but we're wedging them shut."
Ms D'Ath said the current anti-association laws, which prevent two or more members of a criminal organisation from meeting in public, would be replaced with a new consorting offence.
Already in place in NSW, the law would make it illegal for anyone to associate with two other people who have certain convictions.
"The flaw in anti-association was those laws indiscriminately looked at people not based on their criminal activity but their organisation. We will look at criminal activity," she said.
But despite being asked several times, Ms D'Ath was unable to say whether known bikies without convictions who met in public would be charged under the new laws.
The changes still need to be passed in Queensland's minority government, so would need the support of crossbench MPs.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the government aimed to introduce the new legislation by August, expecting they could be passed as early as the end of the year.
"These new laws will be tough, workable and enforceable," Ms Palaszczuk said.
A group of motorcycle gang members and their lawyers waiting outside the government's executive building said they expected the new laws would also be challenged in court.
"They're chasing us for high handlebars and noisy pipes, making out like we're some sort of smart criminal organisation," Rebels Brisbane chapter president Mick Kosenko said.
"They should be tackling real crime and get rid of these laws."
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