South Australia leads the way but after much resistance by minor...

South Australia leads the way but after much resistance by minor parties etc, the happening in Sydney today together with past events (murders etc) in S.A. might make people wake up.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BIKIE'S IN SHOW OF DEFIANCE AGAINST RANN LAWS.

BRAD CROUCH, DAVID NANKERVIS, JAI BEDNALL
March 14, 2009 09:40pm -- Adelaide Now --

AUSTRALIA'S most notorious bikie gangs taunted the Rann Government yesterday in a show of defiance against new anti-bikie laws.

More than 700 members of gangs – mainly Hell's Angels, Gypsy Jokers, Rebels, Finks and Descendants – took part in the Freedom Run ride through the Barossa Valley, monitored by a large contingent of police.

Saying he would not be intimidated by their actions, Premier Mike Rann described the protest as nothing more than a publicity stunt.

Gypsy Jokers club president Scott "Diesel" Thomas said the co-operation among the gangs was only in its early stages but warned it was the "start of things to come".

Read the anti-bikie laws
"They are telling us who we can talk to and who we can't, but these laws don't just affect us, they affect everybody," he said.

Police – including the STAR Group – breath-tested riders, checked motorcycles for defects and had pictures taken of their faces and number plates. The bikies have mobilised to fight the Serious and Organised Crime Control Act introduced by the Government to fight the gangs Mr Rann has accused of murder, rape and other criminal activities.

Mr Thomas said bikies were being targeted by Mr Rann for "personal" reasons. "He has an axe to grind, which is personal more than anything else," he said.

Other motorcycle groups such as the Ulysses Motorcycle Club and Christian Motorcyclists Australia also took part in the protest ride.

Mr Rann said he would push for the new laws to be adopted nationally at the next Coalition of Australian Governments meeting.

"I'll be asking fellow premiers and the Prime Minister to join us in making these laws national because this is a national problem with international links," he said.

"Let's remember what this is about, why they are bringing in their mates from interstate. They are terrified the legislation we have brought in here will be adopted by other states.

"For them, freedom means freedom to manufacture and sell drugs to our kids, freedom to be involved in violence, freedom to use illegal firearms and freedom to extort.

"There are elements among these bikies who are dangerous and serious criminals, and we will treat them as seriously as they deserve.

"I will not now, nor will I ever, apologise for the strong action this government has taken."

Mr Rann also warned the new co-operation between gangs would quickly disintegrate.

The procession caused traffic delays, with cars banked up more than 3km out of Nuriootpa where the bikers stopped at the Vine Inn cafe.

Bikie supporters intend to establish a political party as part of the protest, a move derided by Mr Rann.

"They don't just want to run our streets and intimidate our people, they want to run the government as well," he said.

"I don't believe there is any sensible citizen who would be dumb enough to vote for a thug party."