Australian Terrorism Bill
Here is a summary of what is happening in Oz, plus the URL for more information.
AFTINET ALERT 3/4/02
The last AFTINET ALERT of 21/3/02 outlined the government's Anti-Terrorism legislation.
The Government has now tabled all the legislation and referred it to committees. The legislation can be found at:
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/legcon_ctte/terrorism/index.htm
Most of the Bills have been referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee. The deadline for submissions is Friday 5 April 2002. The ASIO Bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on ASIO, with a deadline of 12 April 2002.
A large number of community organizations and individuals have protested at the short time available for submissions.
However it is vital that you make a submission and/or go to a public hearing if you can. Below are some points for a brief submission and the details of the committees and public hearings available so far.
1) SENATE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
Address for Submissions
The Secretary
Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee
Suite S1.108
PARLIAMENT HOUSE
CANBERRA ACT 2600
or e-mail legcon.sen@aph.gov.au
Public hearings
a) Sydney
Monday 8 April 2002, 1-5pm
Room 815, NSW Parliament,
Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW
b) Melbourne
Wednesday 17 April, 1.30 pm and Thursday 18 April, 9-5pm.
Corryong Room No. 1, Level 2, Melbourne Convention Centre
Cnr Flinders and Spencer Sts, Melbourne.
contact Committee Secretary 02 6277 3562
2) PARLIAMENTARY JOINT COMMITTEE ON ASIO, ASIS AND DSD
Review of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization Legislation Amendment (Terrorism) Bill 2002
POINTS FOR SUBMISSIONS
*.. there has been a lack of consultation and public discussion of the proposed legislation. a.. Some of the measures in the legislation, if implemented, may contravene internationally recognized human rights standards - including the rights to liberty, fair trial and freedom of association - and facilitate the violation of individuals' human rights. It is the obligation of the government to ensure the protection of human rights of all people in their jurisdiction.
*.. the system of detention proposed for the legislation will establish an informal criminal justice system without the safeguards of the formal system. Anyone deemed to be a threat to national security or a "suspected international terrorists" could be imprisoned indefinitely on the basis of information inadmissible as evidence in a trial, and on a significantly lower standard of proof.
*.. anyone who is detained should be either promptly charged with recognizable criminal offences and tried within a reasonable period in proceedings that comply fully with international fair trial standards; or deported within a reasonable period to another country where there is no risk of being subjected to the imposition of the death penalty, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, or other serious human rights abuses, and to an unfair trial.
*.. those who commit heinous crimes and grave human rights abuses must be brought to justice. However, as the UN Commission on Human Rights has affirmed, "all measures to counter terrorism must be in strict conformity with international law, including international human rights standards."