Australia - Victorian Premier John Brumby says he supports the Victoria Police decision to escort the Bandidos bikie gang into Melbourne.
Around 2.15pm Friday, the West Gate Freeway, one of Melbourne's busiest arterials, emptied to make way for the leather-clad convoy on their national run.
The 200-strong bikie mob took a full minute to pass any given point. They were led by a police van, with motorcyclists blocking on-ramps and keeping stray motorists at bay.
About 150-200 police officers were involved in the escort operation, having been redirected from suburban and regional areas to Melbourne. Police will work 400 shifts monitoring the bikies.
Mr Brumby said the arrangements were up to the police to decide.
"It's a matter for Victoria Police and they've made that decision and therefore it's one I support," he said.
Mr Brumby also said much tougher standards were in place in the inner city King Street district where the bikies will be on Saturday night.
The King Street area was where former Hell's Angel bikie Christopher Wayne Hudson had been drinking in a club before fatally shooting a lawyer and injuring two others on a Monday morning last year.
Mr Brumby said things had changed in the past year.
"We've got a much bigger police presence in place than we had a year ago, we've got at least 50 additional police," he said.
"Police have the power to name and ban someone from that area, police have the power to suspend a licence of a publican if they're serving people who are intoxicated.
"So we're determined to get on top of some of the issues that occurred in King Street."
Police union legal manager Senior Sergeant Greg Davies said that instead of police officers escorting a "violent gang", there should be legislation preventing them from entering Melbourne en masse.
"It's an interesting concept ... our people are out there struggling every weekend to provide a reasonable level of safety for the people of Melbourne," Snr Sgt Davies said.
"The CBD will be visited by in excess of 200 people belonging to an organisation that in the past has earnt a longstanding reputation for violence and a range of criminal activities ... they are not here for a cup of tea and an iced vo-vo."
"It is perception ... if you go for a country drive on a Sunday and 200 Bandidos or Hells Angels bikies come riding past you wearing their colours and uniforms you ask: 'What the hell is going on?'"
Snr Sgt Davies said other states - including Queensland where the event used to be held, and the ACT - had "curtailed the activities of bikie groups".
He said the additional 400 shifts involving 150-200 police officers were redirected from suburban and regional areas to Melbourne this weekend to monitor the bikies, which would "rob Peter to pay Paul".
The most infamous incident involving the gang was the Milperra Massacre on Father's Day 1984 (September 2) in Sydney when seven people were killed, including a 14-year-old female bystander, during a clash between the rival Commancheros and Bandidos.
There have been reports of violence, including gun shots, between the two gangs in the last 18 months.
Police are also investigating the death of a Bandidos bikie gang member in a motorbike collision on Thursday, which occurred when a 47-year-old Sydney man lost control of his bike as he drove off the Hume Highway and onto the Western Ring Road in Melbourne about 2.40pm (AEDT).
News Ltd newspapers reported a man believed to be a Bandidos nominee was shot outside the gang's Sunshine clubhouse on Monday.
Disclaimer: The opinions in this article are solely those of the writer, and may not reflect the beliefs of anyone at Outlaw Biker World.
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