Media Release
August 22, 2000
Activists protest increased army powers
3.45pm, Government Community Consultation on Defence Review 2000 Kaleide
Theatre, RMIT University, 360 Swanston St, Melbourne
Melbourne activists will protest increases to defence spending and new army
shoot to kill powers today.
Activists will picket the latest government "public consultation" on the
future of Australia's defence policy.
Under the pretext of Olympic Security, the Defence Legislation Amendment
(Aid to the Civilian Authorities) Bill will establish the legal and
political basis for using troops to suppress political unrest.
The legislation has been widely criticised for allowing the Commonwealth
government to call out troops without the agreement of a State Government
and against political protest and industrial disputes.
The legislation gives the military clear powers to conduct searches of
people, property or vehicles, cordon off areas, detain people and in
certain circumstances shoot to kill.
Damien Lawson, a spokesperson for the Western Suburbs Legal Service, said
today, "This bill is a fundamental threat to our democratic rights. The
Labor Party should support amendments banning the use of troops against
protest and strikes or vote down the legislation next Monday."
The activists will also highlight government plans to increase defence
spending while squeezing health, education, welfare, legal aid and overseas
development funding.
Shelly Marshall, a spokesperson for the protest, said today, "The
post-Timor boost for the military comes at the expense of ordinary people
both in Australia and Timor. Instead of spending more on the military the
government should be directing resources to the real security needs of
people, health education and welfare.
"The government claims it wants to consult the public on the future for
defence, but it has already decided to increase defence spending and wants
to increase military powers without any discussion."
For more information and comment:
Damien Lawson 0418 140 387
Shelly Marshall 0408 357 882
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