Belt Drive Betty's Blog

Between a rock and a hard place.

Things are really heating up in Australia. 
 
If you are a member of a prescribed motorcycle "gang", and you are an electrician, you will be loosing your job.  Regardless if you have a criminal record or not and quitting your club is no guarantee you will be able to keep your license. 
 
READ THE ARTICLE by<a href="https://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/361-contacts-sp-451/29727-electrician-bikies-to-lose-jobs-by-july-gang-members-or-not"> CLICKING HERE</a> 
 
It appears that the government of Queensland has targeted industries where they feel gangs have used them as a front for other "business". 
 
There are two main trains of thought on this topic: 
 
They became members of those prescribe clubs, live with the consequences. 
 
OR 
 
The charter of freedoms applies to them like any citizen and you are innocent until proven guilty. 
 
But guess what, Australia doesn't have a charter of freedoms and rights. 
 
Open up this PDF and read an eyeful: 
<a href="http://www.australiancollaboration.com.au/pdf/Democracy/Charter-human-rights.pdf">http://www.australiancollaboration.com.au/pdf/Democracy/Charter-human-rights.pdf</a> 
 
Or read this blog: <a href="http://evatt.org.au/papers/charter-rights-australia.html">http://evatt.org.au/papers/charter-rights-australia.html</a> 
 
So the citizens of Australia have ZERO protection from overzealous politicians, police etc. and appear to be between a rock and a hard place. 
 
It's no wonder the every day ordinary rider over there is reluctant to ride. 
 
It's no wonder there have been funeral processions held up and riders checked out. 
It's no wonder there has been a funeral procession where the riders checked in with the police before hand and still got jacked up. 
It's no wonder there are riders reporting they have been stopped 10 and 11 times in a week 
It's no wonder the police want you to check your group in with them before you go for a ride. 
 
There have been a number of cases reported where criminal motorcycle "Gang" member or regular citizen riding a motorcycle are being treated the same and when you read the law and how it says you are considered "connected" if you have attended several functions prescribed gangs attend, you can and will find yourself really between a rock and a hard place. 
 
I am more certain now than ever before that it will be a long time before I go to Australia, I just don't think I'd want to check in with the police just to go for a ride. 
 
What say you? 
 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
Editor & Rider