A community campaign to retain the LNP’s criminal gang laws in Mudgeeraba has been met with disappointment, after the Labor Government reaffirmed its plan to scrap them.

Member for Mudgeeraba, Ros Bates MP said it was extremely frustrating that Labor had ignored overwhelming community support for the laws, including a petition with more than 800 signatures.

“Mudgeeraba locals united in a campaign to urge the Labor Government to keep the hugely successful VLAD Laws, but Labor isn’t interested in listening,” Ms Bates said.

“Residents have already started to notice a resurgence in crime and increased presence of bikies in Mudgeeraba and have been raising these concerns with me.

“Just last week, we had Taskforce Maxima raid a house on Berrigans Road in Mudgeeraba following ongoing investigations into criminal activity by members of outlaw motorcycle gangs.

“The search allegedly resulted in the location of an ICE laboratory, a quantity of ICE and steroids, other drug paraphernalia and a loaded handgun.

“And only a few months earlier a similar raid on a home on Worongary.

“This is all because Labor remains hell-bent on removing legislation that was enacted by the LNP, and with no plan of its own, has effectively rolled out the red carpet for criminal gangs.

“During the election campaign in January, six doors down from my house in Reedy Creek, we saw Taskforce Maxima raid a quiet suburban home inhabited by a member of the Hells’ Angels criminal motorcycle gang member and netted over $1 million in methamphetamines.

“Without these laws, Mudgeeraba is going to be dragged back into the bad old days where robberies, brawls and shootings were the norm and criminal gangs ruled our streets.

“Labor’s short sightedness is holding Mudgeeraba back.”

Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker was said when in government the LNP introduced the strongest and most effective laws in the country for dealing with criminal gangs.

“Since the laws were enacted we have seen a dramatic reduction in criminal gang activity on the Gold Coast and across Queensland,” he said.

“Queenslanders deserve to feel safe, regardless of where they live and Labor is letting them down.

“Only the LNP has a plan ensure to keep Queenslanders safe and unleash our great state’s full potential.”