Australian police arrested a senior motorcycle gang member yesterday as authorities launched a crackdown on biker groups in response to a deadly airport brawl that shocked the country and brought a simmering gang war out into the open.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, asked about Sunday's 15-minute melee that tore through Sydney Airport, said gang violence had become a problem across Australia and he would make sure there was a national response.

"This sort of behavior by bikies and others engaged in organized criminal activity is unacceptable in Australia, absolutely unacceptable," Rudd said during a visit to Washington, using the Australian term for bikers.