Lock up clause sparks terror law outcry

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Sat, 22 Oct 2005 11:41:35 -0700 (PDT)

Lock up clause sparks terror law outcry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/80-face-house-arrest-under-new-laws/2005/\

10/22/1129775982798.html

 

 

Lock up clause sparks terror law outcry

October 22, 2005 - 5:59AM

 

 

Labor has renewed calls for a comprehensive Senate inquiry into

proposed new anti-terror laws following reports up to 80 Muslim

suspects could face immediate detention.

 

Revelations that the laws could also leave parents open to charges for

sharing information with their spouse further showed the need for

Senate scrutiny, Labor's homeland security spokesman Arch Bevis said.

 

News Ltd newspapers reported that up to 80 Australian Muslims could be

placed under effective house arrest under the proposed laws.

 

" At no time have the security or intelligence community identified any

number of people - there's certainly been no statement on the record

from the government, " Mr Bevis said.

 

He said a small number of Australians were of interest to security

agencies because of links to groups now proscribed as terrorist

organisations.

 

" That doesn't necessarily mean that they would be subject to any of

these orders, " Mr Bevis said.

 

" The only people who really know what the details of this are would be

the prime minister and the attorney-general.

 

" If this is their intention, then they should be honest and say so.

The ball's in their court. "

 

A Fairfax report said that not even marriage is sacred under the

proposed laws.

 

It said a parent who was told that his or her child had been held

under the laws faced up to five years' jail if they told their partner

what had happened.

 

" This really does highlight the consequences of this law and, again,

what happens when you try and rush sensitive issues through where

you've got to get the balance right, " Mr Bevis said.

 

" Is anyone seriously suggesting that you could tell, for example, Mum,

and that's fine, but if Dad found out it would be a threat to national

security? "

 

" Does anyone seriously want to put that proposition forward? "

 

Mr Bevis suggested Mr Howard should have a cold shower and take his

own advice from 2002 when anti-terror legislation was carefully

scrutinised in the senate.

 

But NSW Premier Morris Iemma indicated his support for the parental law.

 

" I support the detention orders, " he said.

 

" I went to Canberra ... to support in principle the proposals that

were put and to have in place a regime of safeguards and accountability. "

 

He said he believed the penalty for the crime could be reduced from

five to two years.

 

" It is a proposal (and) they're not near finalisation, " Mr Iemma said.

 

Greens senator Bob Brown told a Melbourne rally against the

anti-terror laws that they would make it illegal to encourage

ill-feeling against Mr Howard.

 

" After this legislation is passed, if I urge you to be disaffectionate

to Mr Howard and his government, that is illegal - potential jail

sentence seven years, " Senator Brown told the rally.

 

State and territory governments signed off on the tough

counter-terrorism laws last month.

 

But a draft copy of the legislation was leaked by ACT Chief Minister

Jon Stanhope a week ago.

 

Under the plans, Australian Federal Police would be able to issue

preventative detention orders, enabling them to lock up people thought

to be involved in, or to have knowledge of, a terrorist act.

 

Control orders would force people to wear tracking devices and control

their travel and communication.

 

Spokespeople for Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and Prime Minister

John Howard could not be reached for comment.

 

© 2005 AAP