The men are the first to be charged under the new laws since they were introduced in August last year. Intended to help crack down on biker gang-based violence and organised crime, they prohibit members from 10 gangs classed as criminal organisations from congregating in public in groups of three or more and from wearing gang colours and insignia.
Controversial legislation
The legislation has met strong opposition since it was first proposed in South Australia. Last year, Andrew McLachlan, a member of the conservative Liberal Party, crossed the floor of the Upper House to vote against the laws. According to Mr McLachlan, they set a precedent for 'dangerous and oppressive laws' that undermine 'hard-fought' freedoms in an effort to combat crime.
Challenge likely
Prominent Australian defence lawyer Craig Caldicott, an ardent critic of the laws, has previously predicted that the legislation would likely face a challenge within the court system as soon as the first arrests were made. The five men charged have been denied bail and are due to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court. Source: ABC News
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