|
Australian Leaders, MPs Cast Doubts Over Anti-terror
Laws
 |
|
Howard
wants the premiers and chief ministers of Australian states and
territories to rubber stamp his anti-terror laws.
|
SIDNEY, November 1, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The
leaders of Australia's eight states and territories as well as backbench MPs are raising
serious concerns about Premier John Howard's controversial new
anti-terror laws, citing possible restrictions on civil liberties.
"What
we're trying to do is get sensible agreement that protects Australians
from terror but also enables accountability and will not get knocked
off in the High Court," Queensland Premier Peter Beattie told
Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Monday, October 31.
Australian
state leaders, who backed the anti-terror bill last September but have
yet to agree a detailed draft, are concerned the legislation would
threaten civil liberties and breach the constitution.
"I
am still very concerned about the powers the Commonwealth wish to give
to police officers to deal with preventative detention orders,"
Western Australian Premier Geoff Gallop said.
Following
the July 7 terrorist attacks in London,
Australia
drafted a controversial package of tougher anti-terror laws.
They
include jail terms for inciting violence, detention of suspects
without charge for up to two weeks and curtailing suspects' movements
and contacts for up to a year.
The
new law would also provide police with greater stop, search and
question powers.
It
further plans to impose life sentences on anyone caught funding
militant organizations.
More
Time
Howard
wants the premiers and chief ministers of Australian states and
territories, all governed by the opposition Labour Party, to rubber
stamp the final draft.
However,
the leaders said there are still issues on the table and they would
not be rushed especially that none of the several concerns they have
raised on the new bill has been addressed.
Beattie,
Queensland
Premier, cited the need for "more flexibility about time".
Dr
Gallop, Western Australian Premier, agreed.
"We're
getting close to the end of the process and there are still
outstanding issues and we're not going to be rushed," he said.
Federal
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley is facing growing pressure from within
his own party to vote against the counter-terrorism laws when they are
introduced.
"I
don't believe that the anti-terrorism bill in its current form should
be supported by the Labour Party or any branch of the Labour Party as
it stands. We're still negotiating it," Australian Capital
Territory Chief Minister Jon Stanhope told ABC.
A
meeting of Labor's left has passed a resolution raising human rights
concerns and calling upon all Labor premiers, chief ministers and
parliamentary members to act consistently with Australia's international law obligations.
Federal
Coalition and Labor backbench MPs have expressed concern with the
Federal Government's proposed counter-terrorism legislation.
"There
are some areas of concern and we'll finally see what the bill looks
like," said Liberal backbencher Bruce Baird.
The
Nationals' Paul Neville says he is worried people who are charged
under the legislation will not be able to talk to their family.
"To
me, that cuts at the essence of our way of life or our normal legal
rights," he said.
Australia
has never suffered a major terrorist attack on home soil, but has
tightened security since the 9/11 attacks on the US.
Australian
Muslims have decried anti-terror measures, maintaining that security
measures create a climate of fear and apprehension among the minority.
|
