Australia's bikie clubs will become stronger regardless of whether they can overturn the Newman Government's anti-bikie laws, United Motorcycle Council spokesman Mick Kosenko says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
During the first day of the clubs' legal challenge against the government, Mr Kosenko said he was confident the Federal Court would deem the laws invalid.
The clubs are contesting recently introduced laws which include provisions banning three or more bikies gathering in public and lengthening jail terms for bikies found guilty in court.
The case also has national significance, with attorneys-general from New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory set to introduce their own versions of Queensland's laws if they are upheld.
The face of the bikie's legal challenge is Hells Angels tattooist Stefan Kuczborski, who is being backed by UMC members including other clubs like the Rebels and Bandidos.
Speaking outside the Brisbane Federal Court on Tuesday, Mr Kosenko refuted suggestions bikie clubs would be dismantled if they lost the case.
"No, it'll make them stronger," he said.
"We can get together, we can still ride our motorcycles, we can still wear our colours. We just can't do it three at a time ... we're just going to have to live with the laws until they're found invalid."
Mr Kosenko, the Rebels Brisbane chapter president, said he was unable to enter the courtroom because he feared being arrested in case other club members were present.
He said UMC members had raised $1 million to fund the legal challenge, and said those funds had now been completely exhausted.
"We're still asking for donations and unfortunately, we're funding it from both ends because we're all taxpayers as well. So the government's funding is coming out of our back pockets at the end of the day too," he said.
"We're doing what we can and we're doing it for Australia and Queensland particularly.
"If common sense prevails we will win."
Mr Kosenko said all the bikie clubs - who sometimes had their differences - were united in their fight against the laws.
He said the clubs' reputations had been tarnished by negative media coverage, and they would embark on an active public relations campaign to highlight their charity work in future.
However, he said, Queensland-based clubs hadn't been able to do as much charity work as they would have liked recently due to the laws.
"We're even talking about - if we get through this thing - all the clubs getting together and doing two big charity shows a year ... we've got to get out there and do more than we've ever done for charities," Mr Kosenko said.
