Media Release: For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 12, 2002
Community leaders oppose ASIO powers and Terrorism Bill
Unions, lawyers, church leaders, human rights, environmental, student,
academic and community organisations will hold a media conference
tomorrow expressing concerns regarding anti-terrorism laws introduced
into Federal Parliament.
The government has proposed wide reaching powers for ASIO.
ASIO would be able to obtain a warrant authorising the incommunicado
detention of non-suspects for up to 48 hours. People detained would not
have a right to a lawyer and could face penalties of up to 5 years in
jail for exercising their right to silence.
The groups also expressed concern regarding the proposed offence of
terrorism saying the scope of the law could criminalise social movements
and union activity.
The groups say the existing criminal law and processes should be used to
investigate and prosecute acts of terrorism.
They want Labor and minor parties to block or significantly amend the
laws in the Senate.
For comment at a media conference tomorrow or via the phone:
* Sharan Burrows, President, ACTU, 0408 513 849
* Richard Marles, ACTU Assistant Secretary, 0408 513 849
* Chris Maxwell, QC, Liberty, Victoria, 03 9225 8163
* Rob Stary, President, Criminal Law Section, Law Institute Victoria,
0418 349 432
* Prof. Linda Hancock, Victorian Council of Social Services 0417 057 501
* Moksha Watts, President, National Union of Students, 0413 041 083
* Jacob Grech, Friends of the Earth, 0402 246 491
* Damien Lawson, Federation of Community Legal Centres, 0418 140 387
* Nicole Bieske, Amnesty International, 0412 319 764
* Dr. Jude McCulloch, Police Studies, Deakin University, 03 52272432
* Marc Purcell, Catholic Commission for Justice Development & Peace 0418
170 541
Media Conference
11 am, Wednesday, March 13, 2001
Federation of Community Legal Centres
1st Floor, 212 King St, Melbourne
For information regarding conference: Damien Lawson 0418 140 387
Damien Lawson
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Western Suburbs Legal Service Inc.
30 Hall St, Newport 3015 VIC
03 9391 2244 (Tel)
03 9399 1686 (Fax)
0418 140 387 (Mobile)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.vicnet.net.au/~wsls
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