 Well, what I thought it might do is just read out a bit of a statement, then just take questions. That's all right. OK. Just let us know when you're ready. OK. Thank you. On the 1st of June 2012, the Queensland Police Service filed a formal application to the Supreme Court under the Criminal Organization Act for a declaration that the Gold Coast chapter of the THINX Outlaw is a criminal organization. The application marked the first of its kind in Queensland and has resulted, or come about after at least two years of dedicated work by members of Task Force Hydra and also other members of the Queensland Police Service who provide valuable information relevant to the application. Today the High Court ruled the provisions challenged in the Criminal Organization Act in Queensland are in fact valid. The application represents one of a number of strategies used by the Queensland Police Service to continue to investigate, disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations and outlaw motorcycle gangs who pose a risk to the community. As the matter is now before the Supreme Court, I'm limited to what comment I can make, only to say that there are a number of milestones that must be achieved before this matter is finalized. Obviously today is one of those milestones. I'll take questions. Well, as I said, the matter now is before the Supreme Court and a judge will make that determination based on the legislation. Yeah, well I suppose you'd expect that sort of comment from the defence solicitors for the THINX. At the end of the day, the criminal intelligence was bought before a judge of the Supreme Court and that judge made certain decisions on it and we now as a result of the High Court action are back in the Supreme Court to determine the complete process. No, that's correct. We've gone to great lengths to corroborate the information that's been provided by us. Well, the High Court is the highest court in our land and they've made a decision on it as the legislation currently sits. We're now back before the Supreme Court. We were fortunate that we were able to learn from decisions of other states and we felt as though when we went forward with the application we're in the best position to give us the best chance to achieve the outcome of today. But as I said, we've still got to go before the Supreme Court and where everything within the legislation will be tested from an operational side. Will you wait? Yeah, I would suggest that one step at a time and we'll make that determination as this unfolds. I think the notion that these are just good citizen riding motorbikes is absolute rubbish. Clearly, for the matters that members in the THINX have come before the court murder, drugs, serious assault, clearly they are a problem for policing organisations and for the community. They pose a risk to the community so we should not be drawn into a belief that these are good citizens. Significant in the fact that the legislation has been validated and it now allows us to progress our formal application before the Supreme Court. Well, it's certainly not something that we've considered but part of the dismantling and disruption process involves a number of strategies and one of them is the financial component but not necessarily linked to the current process we're in. We put an application up and the THINX goal case decided to challenge it. They bought the application on. It's an interesting question. I don't know where they've paid the account yet. Look, there is evidence that we are aware of where there is substantial wealth in some of these OMCG groups and we constantly review that and we're possible and we're necessary use the proceeds of crime legislation to address that. What the High Court has said that the Queensland legislation on the provisions that were challenged are valid. Well, my interpretation is, as I said in the outset, that we are now before the Supreme Court where we will be required to justify the action that we've commenced and that will be by having a judge determine whether there's sufficient evidence to cause the THINX goal case chapter to be declared, firstly, a criminal organisation. Well, it's untested legislation in Queensland so it's new ground for us but we believe we have a strong argument and it will be a matter for the judge of the Supreme Court to decide otherwise. Well, we continue to monitor the activities of all OMCG groups, in particular the THINX and bearing in mind the application was made on the 1st of June 2012. We're obviously several months down the track and any activities that are relevant to our position will be considered when we go back to the Supreme Court. They've kept us active. Sorry, can I question you? Yeah, I think it would be fair to say that we are monitoring other criminal networks and our law motorcycle gang groups. Absolutely, the standard of proof still sits with the Queensland Police Service on the action so the standard has not changed. I'd suggest that if those comments were made, they're perhaps not entirely accurate. I'd prefer not to get into the difference in the law that's really for the lawmakers and the lawyers who brought the case forward. The main concern for me, and I won't comment on it further, is the fact that a Supreme Court judge made the determination initially and of course bearing in mind the THINX took the action to the high court before that process could be completed. But certainly the fact that a Supreme Court judge sits across and will make the final determination is the highest standard Queensland from a court jurisdiction point of view outside the appellant court so I think that's an important factor. Well I suppose it's as simple as law enforcement agencies looking towards other methodologies and strategies to address the issues of criminal networks and our law motorcycle gangs. At the time there were other jurisdictions in South Australia and New South Wales either promoting or engaging in legislation that was similar and due to the interest we have in our law motorcycle gangs in Queensland and other criminal networks we held the view that the legislation would be of a benefit to us and it grew from there. Not accurately here perhaps on the coast there's 60 to 70 in that particular Gold Coast chapter but the THINX are a national OMCG group but I can get those figures for you if necessary. I think we need to take one step at a time. Let's go to the Supreme Court and see what they say. I'm not able to see what a solicitor says about the current position. A limit in terms of what our resources or I think it's about looking at those individuals who we feel should have a control or applied to them and then it's a matter of how we manage that resource so bearing in mind we've got the complete resources of state crime operations command and the regions of the state to assist us if that's required. There you guys are at the moment. Yeah that's an interesting point I think it needs to be looked at in context of where we are right at this day because whilst the Commonwealth intentions are good I think we need to see where this legislation goes and whether there's a duplication of the process. Certainly there's evidence that suggests that OMCGs and other criminal networks are transient and move across border but the legislation as it sits in our state currently allows us to address that but I think it's looking at it from a national level and let's see how the current application goes before we can sort of get a true indication of its value. Oh that's a matter for them really. They could do that. Can't be ruled out. Well they can be but when you're looking at a criminal organisation and the power that the Criminal Organisation Act gives you there are some marked differences in the powers. Look from time to time that has occurred I was the commander of Operation Syntax where we arrested 18 members of the Finks back in 1996 onwards they tried that stunt during that investigation at the end of the day most of them were prosecuted and found guilty it's one of their tactics we're aware of that and it's up to the police to provide the necessary support to those people who become witnesses and I think in the main we've done a very good job of that because historically they don't part of their mandate is to be present to be seen and to ensure that people that they may have issues with know that they're about. I just don't see it happening. All I can say there is that enquiries are continuing as you probably would be aware the husband continues to assess police whether enquiries and I probably can't take it any further than that at this time. Yeah I think it's fair to say we saw an opportunity within our position the legislation that we had at the time which our primary legislation of course is the criminal code of Queensland. Yeah I think the plan is that there will be a listing process and then at some time in the future there will be a determination in relation to a date where what will affect be a trial where all the evidence will be determined. Well I suppose if we are successful there will be a declaration made and then from that point we'll assess as to whether control orders need to be put on and then we'll continue to assess with whatever other legislation is available to us in relation to proceeds, seizure of properties, all those issues are open to us. Well that's part of it but it's not as simple as that. We always have a threshold we must meet and there are other pieces of legislation available to us to use that if necessary but it's got to be looked at on a case by case basis and where there is sufficient evidence we will take action.