Members of various motorcycle clubs attended a rally against TAFE cuts today. PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER
BALLOONS, buntings and unions - a rally against cuts to TAFE funding held today would have been business as usual but for a group of bikies that rocked up to lend their support.
About 15 in number, the bikies were in their leather gear - all rings, tattoos and goatees - to show their anger at what they say is an attack on their way of life.
The government has pledged to introduce laws later this year banning outlaw motorcycle groups in Victoria.
Ballarat resident and Viking club member Ross Hughes said the proposal would victimise a broad group of people .
"We are mainly a motor cycle riding club," Mr Hughes said.
"We are not out to cause anyone any drama, but if they make it so that we can't talk to each other then all they going to to do is drive everyone underground."
Mr Hughes was also against the TAFE cuts. He said he was a family man who had recently started a computer course at TAFE after sustaining a shoulder injury in his job as a mechanic.
Mr Hughes said the cuts had already had a effect on the sector.
"The government has closed down heaps of departments and where there used to be a lot of courses now there are only a few," he said.
"So if you are injured at work, half the opportunities have been taken away."
The rally saw about 200 people gather at the University of Ballarat's Mt Helen campus during the State Parliament regional sitting.