Media Release : For immediate Release
May 8, 2002
Senate Committee fails to protect democracy
The Federation of Community Legal Centres criticised a Senate committee's
report into proposed anti-terrorism legislation today for failing to protect
democracy.
While the Federation of Community Legal Centres welcomed some of the report'
s recommendations such as the removal of "absolute liability" offences it
is disappointed the committee has shied away from opposing the legislation.
The Federation is opposed to a proposal giving the Attorney General sweeping
powers to ban organisations with penalties of 25 years imprisonment for
members and supporters.
The legislation also outlines new offences of terrorism which the Federation
is concerned could criminalise protest and some union activity, with
penalties of life imprisonment.
Damien Lawson, spokesperson for the Federation of Community Legal Centres
said today,
"The report outlines some improvements to the proposed definition of
terrorist act, but even if such amendments are adopted by the Parliament
freedom of assembly, association and expression will still be under threat."
"The existing criminal law is adequate to deal with any threat of terrorism.
Banning organisations, whether it is done by a minister, judge or
Parliament, is an attack on democracy."
"The Senate Committee has underestimated the danger of establishing a
process where people or organisations can be labeled as "terrorists". If
people are conspiring to commit crimes charge them under the existing
criminal law, don't create a situation where governments can use the label
of terrorist for political purposes."
Despite only allowing two weeks for comment the Senate Legal and
Constitutional Legislation Committee received 431 public submissions almost
all opposing the legislation.
The Federation is sponsoring a public rally this Saturday to continue its
campaign in defence of democracy and against the legislation. 1pm, Saturday,
May 11 GPO Melbourne
For more information and comment : Damien Lawson : 0418 140 387
The report of the committee is available at : www.aph.gov.au/senate_legal
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