Australia - Veteran Coffin Cheaters bikie Eddy Withnell will fight a five-year ban stopping him entering or working in nightclubs and licensed restaurants.
The Liquor Commission relied on secret police evidence to decide it was in the public interest to ban Mr Withnell from licensed premises including pubs with extended trading hours permits, clubs, licensed restaurants and some venues with special facilities licenses.
Police had wanted him barred from all WA licensed premises but the Liquor Commission stopped short of that, allowing him to drink at pubs without extended trading hours' permits and enter bottleshops.
The prohibition order will effectively ban him from Northbridge venues, with most pubs having extended trading hours' permits or special facilities licences. He will also be banned from going to the football or the races.
Mr Withnell was not informed directly of the ban. _The West Australian _ broke the news to him yesterday after the decision was posted on the Liquor Commission's website.
He said yesterday he was surprised by the decision and would talk to his lawyer about fighting it. He has previously said the ban would affect his livelihood supplying and supervising strippers at the James Street club The Voodoo Lounge.
Mr Withnell said a Bill of Rights was needed to protect people from "abuse of power by unjust laws and immoral politicians".
"If a man on the streets of Northbridge punched someone, killed him and stole his alcohol, he would be sentenced to three years jail, serve 18 months and be free to enter every bar and club in this city," he said.
"But because I am guilty of nothing, because I have been charged with nothing and I have not even been accused of anything, I am to be banned for life from all licensed premises."
The 56-year-old said at his age, a five-year ban was an exile for life.
Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan applauded the ban,saying the laws would clean up the industry.
This morning Premier Colin Barnett said he welcomed the Liquor Commission's decision.
Asked on ABC radio today if he had any sympathy for Mr Withnell, Mr Barnett's answer was a straightforward "No". "He has colourful, chequered history … he has been banned for five years, it is a good result," Mr Barnett said.
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