THE ACT Law Society has reaffirmed its opposition to anti-consorting laws after the Canberra Liberals renewed its calls to implement them in the ACT. 

The Liberals push for the laws come after the Canberra Comancheros bikie gang leader, Pitasoni Ulavalu, 48, was stabbed to death at Kokomo’s over the weekend.

“The society has previously stated its opposition to anti-consorting laws and remains opposed to their implementation in the ACT,” ACT Law Society president Chris Donohue says.

“Such laws are a disproportionate response to a perceived threat, and are inconsistent with basic human rights principles. This type of law is also open to misuse, and serves to further marginalise vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our community.”

According to the ACT Law Society, an independent review was commissioned by the ACT government and released in December last year which showed that less than 1 per cent of ACT crimes are associated with outlaw motorcycle gangs.

“The ACT’s existing laws already provide police with effective tools to fight serious and organised crime. Where anti-consorting laws have been introduced in other jurisdictions, they have proven to be largely ineffective,” Mr Donohoe says.

The Canberra Liberals disagree and shadow attorney-general Jeremy Hanson blamed the ACT government for a fourfold increase in bikie gangs over the past decade and “as a result a bikie war has unfolded across Canberra”.

“Anti-gang laws have been backed by the High Court, police and other experts on the frontline of law enforcement,” Mr Hanson said.