Army powers law not ready for WEF http://www.abc.net.au/news/2000/09/item20000908081413_1.htm The Federal Government's new defence call-out law may not be in place in time for the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Melbourne next week. The law lays down provisions for the Government to call out the defence forces in cases of domestic disturbance. The Senate passed the law last night, despite objections from the Australian Democrats, Greens Senator Bob Brown and One Nation Senator Len Harris. Federal Attorney-General Daryl Williams says the law will not extend the powers of the military, as suggested by its opponents. He says the law is expected to be in force by the time the Olympics begin but the Government is not concerned about the World Economic Forum. "Whether or not it will be proclaimed in time for the WEF is not an issue," he said. "As far as we are concerned we have been preparing this bill for quite some time, it just happened to come up in advance of the Olympics and it was desirable we think that it be put in place in time for the Olympics." Mr Williams has accused the Australian Democrats and Greens Senator Bob Brown of scare-mongering over the law. The Democrats, Senator Brown and One Nation Senator Len Harris say the legislation gives unprecedented powers to deploy troops in protests and industrial disputes. Mr Williams says the legislation is carefully laid down and will require a request from the states before its use is even contemplated. "If an extreme emergency arose and there was a need to call out the defence forces because the police couldn't handle a situation, then the state concerned would, in the first instance, be responding and making a judgement and would be making a request," he said. The bill sets out the circumstances in which the Commonwealth can deploy troops against security threats on Australian soil and the processes it needs to follow before and after the decision is made. The legislation also gives legal immunity to soldiers in the event they do kill someone. The Government and Opposition combined to support the bill, arguing it does not extend existing informal powers for the military and that it includes plenty of safeguards. Shadow Defence Minister Stephen Martin agrees the Senate debate was marked by misleading claims. "This legislation has been amended to protect the rights of Australians," he said. "It has been amended by Labor to ensure that it is an appropriate representation of the way in which this bill should be dealt with and the powers of the Commonwealth in respect of the way the call-out of the troops are applied are restricted. "They are not broadened. They are restricted." Power But Senator Brown says it is a regrettable transfer of power to Government and could set Australia on a path towards totalitarianism. "The terror of this bill itself is that it is a bill that is wide open to abuse," he said. Democrats Senator Vicki Bourne says she is disappointed at and the very least, the bill should have been delayed. "This really is a very, very sad day. This is a very sad day for Australia," she said. -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
