New SA anti-bikie laws set to pass

South Australia's new anti-bikie laws could be in force within a week after the government agreed to cut the number of gangs to be outlawed.

Amendments to the legislation before parliament have dropped 17 groups from the original list of 27 to be declared criminal organisations.

Attorney-General John Rau says the government agreed to the changes so as not to "throw the baby out with the bath water".

He says the groups dropped from the list are not currently active in SA so the amendments represent no major shift from a policing perspective.

Mr Rau says the 10 groups left on the list, including the Mongols, Hells Angels and Rebels, represent a "clear and present danger" to community safety.

"Police regard the declaration of those groups as an absolute priority," he said.

"The ones who are left off do not exist here at all."

The legislation is now likely to pass the parliament this week although some opposition MPs continue to express concern.

If passed, the new laws could be in force by Thursday of next week.

They allow police to crack down on bikie activities, preventing gang members from displaying colours or patches and from gathering together.

An offence related to recruiting new members has also been created.

The new provisions were drafted after the High Court struck down previous attempts in SA to act against bikie and other gangs.