http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200509/s1456486.htm
Muslim and legal groups say the Federal Government’s new counter-terrorism laws will unfairly target the Muslim community and could lead to Australia becoming a “police state”.
The new security measures allow for terror suspects to be held for up to 14 days without charge and the monitoring of suspects for 12 months through a tracking device.
The new laws will also make inciting terrorist attacks an offence.
The premiers of Queensland and New South Wales say they will examine the new anti-terror laws.
Anjad Mehboob, chief executive of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, believes it is a step backwards for Australia and the Muslim community.
“We feel that this is going to drive people who might be contemplating acts of violence and terrorism underground,” he said.
Vicki Sentas from the Federation of Community Legal Centres in Victoria says the laws will erode basic civil liberties.
“It’s clear that it’s the Muslim community in particular that is going to be the target of these new laws, whose civil liberties have already been eroded, and will be subject to increased surveillance by the authorities with little evidence of any wrong doing,” she said.
Ms Sentas says the laws are unnecessary.
“There’s no evidence that these laws are necessary,” she said.
“The Government is meant to be reviewing the existing laws, we’re calling on them to review existing laws before introducing these new laws, which erode basic civil liberties.”
‘Police state’
The Law Council of Australia has called the proposed new terrorism laws un-Australian.
Spokesman president John North says the Federal Government is reacting to a climate of fear.
“These laws will probably allow large numbers of Australians to be held for large periods of time and investigated, and we would like to see what basis they have for making changes to our long-held criminal law,” he said.
Civil libertarian Terry O’Gorman says he has grave concerns about the new laws.
“These body of law changes will give unprecedented power to the intelligence services and to the Australian Federal Police and it pushes us rapidly down the path of becoming a police state,” he said.
“Because nowhere in any of these proposals is there any sort of mechanism that will be set up to ensure that these powers aren’t abused.”
Cameron Murphy of the Australian Council for Civil Liberties is also worried.
“My overall view of this package is that it is exactly the sort of package that is going to lead to a police state,” he said.
Premiers consider
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says he will examine the Commonwealth’s tough new anti-terror laws to ensure they do not destroy the Australian lifestyle.
Mr Beattie has told ABC TV’s Lateline program that he wants to ensure proper safeguards and accountability are in place.
“If you do some of these things, which are a very serious departure from the normal laws that apply … you can erode our wonderful way of life and our system,” he said.
“In other words, the terrorists win – so look, we’re prepared to look at it, we’re prepared to consider it.
“I’m not going to slam the door on it, but I want to know from the Prime Minister where are the safeguards, where are the accountability mechanisms, to protect ordinary Australians.”
Mr Beattie says he is happy to work with the Prime Minister to boost national security.
“There are some things that we are prepared to agree to immediately,” he said.
“For example, having a look at the definition of terrorism, to work with the Commonwealth to tackle money that’s used to finance terrorism … we’ve already been working on that – but we’re happy to tackle those sorts of things.”
Meanwhile, New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma says the State Government will consider the Federal Government’s proposed anti-terror measures ahead of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting later this month.
He says the state already has tougher anti-terrorism powers than any other state or territory, including giving police special stop-and-search powers and tougher penalties for possessing or making explosives or weapons.
NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam is calling on Mr Iemma to cooperate fully with the Commonwealth.
He says more work needs to be done in the Sydney CBD and other high-density areas in the state.
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Muslims Condemn Terror Plan
Liam Houlihan, Herald SunSeptember 09, 2005
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,16543218-2,00.html
ISLAMIC leaders have reacted angrily to the Prime Minister’s plans for new terror laws, claiming he has undone any good achieved by his recent Muslim summit.
Many who attended last month’s summit criticised the proposals to create a new incitement offence and extend the existing list of terrorist groups to include those who advocate terrorism. Federation of Islamic Councils president Ameer Ali said charging those who incite violence against Australian troops overseas could be used to muscle anyone opposing the war in Iraq. Dr Ali said Australians should be free to voice support for insurgents in Iraq without fear of criminal charges. “This will only antagonise and alienate moderates,” he said. Waleed Aly, from the Islamic Council of Victoria, said the plans unveiled yesterday were never discussed at the summit. “It’s clear now the input of Muslims is irrelevant to the Government . . . now that I’ve waited and had a look I feel the summit achieved nothing,” he said. “I think it could be counterproductive and undemocratic if incitement was conflated to incorporate any form of political dissent.” On Iraq he said: “There would be a lot of people who would say an occupied people have a right to resist.” Mr Howard said the incitement offence would “address problems with those who communicate inciting messages directed against other groups within our community, including against Australia’s forces overseas and in support of Australia’s enemies”. Radical Muslims came under fire this year when the Herald Sun revealed a Brunswick book shop and prayer room was selling literature that advocated hatred of Jews and Christians. Controversial summit attendee Hajji Abdul Rahman (Ray) Deen said he was comfortable with most of the Prime Minister’s ideas. But Mr Deen, who was accused of spreading conspiracy theories about the September 11 terrorist attacks just before the summit, said only a court should have the power to add groups to the terrorist list for advocating terror. He also said tracking devices for terror suspects were acceptable only if there was a strong case against them that was not based solely on intelligence agencies’ reports. Asked about deporting firebrand clerics, the Prime Minister yesterday said: “I take the view that people who are dual citizens do run the risk of being deprived of their Australian citizenship if they break a relevant Australian law.”
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Fear that law changes will curb free speech States give cautious response to tough new measures Legal bodies raise the alarm