Pessimistic
13 Mar 2002, 12:10
Where is the actual evidence of terrorist activity in Australia today.
It's like the "red' and "asian" threats in the 50's. Basically non-existent.
In light ov the recent 'reflections' on the motivation we would do weLl to be deeply suspicious of anything this government tries to do.
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Environment campaigner would be "terrorist" under new laws
Environment campaigner would be "terrorist" under new laws
MELBOURNE, March 13 AAP|Published: Wednesday March 13, 1:41 PM
Friends of the Earth campaigner Jacob Grech believes he will be branded a terrorist under the federal government's proposed anti-terrorism legislation.
Mr Grech was last night busily designing a flier for a planned protest at the Pine Gap tracking station when a copy of the government's proposed anti-terrorism laws were faxed to him.
He said today he discovered his work in designing the flier was arguably an offence under four different sections of the bill
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"What this is doing is making me feel very uptight and very uncomfortable with Australia today," he said.
"Our spin on this legislation is it is divisive and there is absolutely no need for it."
Mr Grech said he could be labelled a terrorist under sections of the act on treason, interfering with the operation of a telecommunication system, preparing a document to help in a terrorist act and providing training for a terrorist act.
Where listed in the bill, the offences are punishable by life imprisonment.
He detailed his concerns at a joint press conference with representatives from the ACTU, Liberty Victoria, the National Union of Students, the Law Institute of Victoria and the Federation of Community Legal Centres.
"My name is Jacob Grech, Friends of the Earth, and I'm a terrorist, or at least I will be if this bill passes through parliament unamended," he said.
The groups believe the proposed laws are draconian and reminiscent of those used in apartheid South Africa and Latin American dictatorships.
Speaking in Melbourne, the groups today welcomed reported backbench concerns which have delayed parts of the legislation that would increase the powers of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
They said existing criminal laws can and should be used to prosecute anyone committing or planning terrorist acts.
Legislation allowing the federal attorney-general to ban organisations likely to endanger national security and to outlaw groups with terrorist connections was introduced to the federal parliament last night.
ACTU national president Sharan Burrow today compared the laws to the 1950s outing of communists in the United States led by US senator Joe McCarthy.
"It is an absolute fundamental attack on civil liberties," said Ms Burrow.
"It is a set of executive powers that even (then Australian prime minister Sir Robert) Menzies couldn't get in the McCarthy era."
By Greg Rule
It's like the "red' and "asian" threats in the 50's. Basically non-existent.
In light ov the recent 'reflections' on the motivation we would do weLl to be deeply suspicious of anything this government tries to do.
TOP STORIES
Environment campaigner would be "terrorist" under new laws
Environment campaigner would be "terrorist" under new laws
MELBOURNE, March 13 AAP|Published: Wednesday March 13, 1:41 PM
Friends of the Earth campaigner Jacob Grech believes he will be branded a terrorist under the federal government's proposed anti-terrorism legislation.
Mr Grech was last night busily designing a flier for a planned protest at the Pine Gap tracking station when a copy of the government's proposed anti-terrorism laws were faxed to him.
He said today he discovered his work in designing the flier was arguably an offence under four different sections of the bill
advertisement
"What this is doing is making me feel very uptight and very uncomfortable with Australia today," he said.
"Our spin on this legislation is it is divisive and there is absolutely no need for it."
Mr Grech said he could be labelled a terrorist under sections of the act on treason, interfering with the operation of a telecommunication system, preparing a document to help in a terrorist act and providing training for a terrorist act.
Where listed in the bill, the offences are punishable by life imprisonment.
He detailed his concerns at a joint press conference with representatives from the ACTU, Liberty Victoria, the National Union of Students, the Law Institute of Victoria and the Federation of Community Legal Centres.
"My name is Jacob Grech, Friends of the Earth, and I'm a terrorist, or at least I will be if this bill passes through parliament unamended," he said.
The groups believe the proposed laws are draconian and reminiscent of those used in apartheid South Africa and Latin American dictatorships.
Speaking in Melbourne, the groups today welcomed reported backbench concerns which have delayed parts of the legislation that would increase the powers of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
They said existing criminal laws can and should be used to prosecute anyone committing or planning terrorist acts.
Legislation allowing the federal attorney-general to ban organisations likely to endanger national security and to outlaw groups with terrorist connections was introduced to the federal parliament last night.
ACTU national president Sharan Burrow today compared the laws to the 1950s outing of communists in the United States led by US senator Joe McCarthy.
"It is an absolute fundamental attack on civil liberties," said Ms Burrow.
"It is a set of executive powers that even (then Australian prime minister Sir Robert) Menzies couldn't get in the McCarthy era."
By Greg Rule