Oz Jail: Pink Overalls for Bikers

SYDNEY, Australia - Members of criminal gangs could be forced to wear "embarrassing" bright pink prison overalls under a plan being considered by an Australian state as it cracks down on bikers.

Queensland police minister Jack Dempsey said he was thinking about replacing the olive-green coveralls for something which makes the prisoners stand out and fluorescent pink was in his sights.

Shameful pink?

State premier Campbell Newman said hot pink prison uniforms, aleady used in parts of the US, were a great idea for incarcerated members of biker gangs.

"They are bullies. They like to wear scary gear, leather jackets, they have the tattoos, they have their colours," he told reporters Monday. "We know that telling them to wear pink is going to be embarrassing for them."

Queensland a week earlier passed tough new laws to combat outlaw motorcycle gangs as authorities sought to destroy what they described as "criminal organisations" that have become a growing menace across the country with links to drugs and guns.

Under the legislation, which names gangs such as the Bandidos, Hell's Angels, Rebels and Finks as criminal organisations, members face an additional 15 years on any prison term while authorities will have the power to destroy motorcycles.

Newman confirmed Sunday that state attorney-general Jarrod Bleijie had been threatened by biker gangs since the laws were passed but did not elaborate. "There have been threats. That's as far as I'm going," he said. "The government went in with its eyes open.

"We know these are criminal gangs, people who manufacture drugs, distribute them, create misery in our community, bash people up, threaten people, murder people on occasions and also rape. They are just absolute criminals and we knew they would not go quietly."