Maitland Greens

   

 

MEDIA RELEASES

"Anti-Terrorism" Legislation

1/5/02

 

Jan Davis
PO Box 188
East Maitland 2323


To the Editor,


Dear Sir,

The Federal Government's Anti-Terrorism Legislation is abhorrent whatever way you look at it. The legislation that recently was pushed through the Senate belongs in the area of undemocratic Banana-Republic regimes, not in present day Australia.

The new legislation allows for the strip-searching of children as young as ten, as well as the jailing of journalists, priests and doctors for not revealing their sources of information. The introduction of draconian legislation follows the September 11 attacks in the U.S., and is the subject of investigations by a parliamentary committee.

The former Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Michael Rozenes, said that the legislation was a "gross departure from every standard that currently governs the way in which we legislate for criminal and other conduct."

The laws allow for ASIO officers to detain and interrogate citizens who could then be sent to jail for five years if they refuse to answer questions. These same citizens who have their liberty removed from them with no access to lawyers, may have committed no crime at all!

This legislation and these proposals should send alarm bells throughout the population, especially those concerned with the basic civil rights of all Australians.

Yours Faithfully,


Jan Davis.


 

Last updated February 4, 2003

© 2003 Maitland Greens