The Supreme Court Judge who has criticised proposed amendments to the ASIO
Terrorism Bill, says he will not preside over a court case involving the
new laws if they are passed.
Appearing in his role representing the International Commission of Jurists,
New South Wales Supreme Court Justice John Dowd said yesterday the
additional state and federal anti-terrorism legislation would take away
fundamental rights.
Justice Dowd has told ABC TV's Lateline he would remove himself from the
bench during any hearing where the laws were an issue.
http://abc.net.au/news/justin/nat/newsnat-27nov2002-14.htm
A Special Air Services (SAS) officer honoured today for his gallantry under
fire in Afghanistan says his training and being an Australian helped him
survive a frightening ordeal.
Signalman Martin Wallace is one of seven SAS members who have received
awards for their performance in Afghanistan.
He has been awarded the third highest medal for his composure during an
ambush by enemy forces in March.
He says he was among about 80 members of the coalition forces confronted by
about 1,000 Al Qaeda fighters.
"Probably the heaviest fighting was around last light, where they'd managed
to dominate both of the ridge lines and launched a ground assault from the
north," Officer Wallace said.
"By the end of that, they'd set up a machinegun in the south, so they had
us surrounded, so that was probably the scariest part of the whole day."
