Canberra no place for bikie turf war

For the past year, Canberrans have woken to reports of outlaw motorcycle gang-related shootings and arsons linked to the Comanchero, Nomads and Rebels.

At first, tattoo parlours were targeted in firebombings, before the tit-for-tat violence spread to residential areas, where homes were shot up and vehicles torched.

Then, in July, an assault rifle – similar to an AK-47 – was used to unload 27 bullets into a Waramanga property.

The risk an innocent bystander could be caught in the crossfire and seriously hurt increased with every escalation.

Wednesday's home invasion, with accompanying bashing and gunshot to the leg, should cause great concern to the community.

But do the authorities share our concern?

Canberrans could be forgiven for rolling their eyes at the all-too-predictable fallout from the latest incident.

On cue, the ACT Opposition – as it has done since 2009 – rolls out the usual calls for anti-consorting laws and allegations Canberra is a "bikie haven".

Never mind bikie numbers are steady in the capital and violence interstate – where the laws are in force – appears to continue unabated.

In response, the government staunchly refuses to entertain the thought of the laws – citing concerns for the criminals' Human Rights – and instead promise specific legislation to target drive-by shootings, and greater police powers to search and secure crime scenes.

Ironically, given the nature of this week's violence, tougher drive-by shooting laws might be too late, just as anti-fortification laws are useless now bikies no longer operate out of clubhouses in the ACT.

At the coalface, the police continue the tough talk but seem reluctant to follow through with action, despite the government lavishing them with millions of dollars to set up a bikie-busting taskforce.

How new laws will help when powers currently available to them remain underutilised is unclear.

Meanwhile, it has become a favourite activity in Tuggeranong to speculate whether loud bangs after dark are the work of gun-toting criminals shooting it out, or merely the mischievous setting off of fireworks.

What is clear is that the current strategies are not working and the authorities need a major rethink on how it will halt the conflict.

A good start would be a high-profile crackdown, including raids on homes and vehicle stops.

If the police don't have the resources, they need to say so, but waiting for tough new laws that will magically halt a bikie war is no longer an option.

The public know where gang wars inevitably lead.

On the current trajectory, Canberrans can expect more shootings, more blood, and eventually, murders.

Collateral damage is also a given.

It's time to put inaction and petty political point-scoring in the past and tackle the issue head on.

Canberrans deserve better and have the right to feel safe in their homes.