Organisations
From: "Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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Thursday, 27 June 2002
Labor Buckles on Power for Minister to 'Backdoor Ban' Organisations
Labor has joined the Government to block Greens amendments to remove
"backdoor" banning of people and organisations in Australia. The Greens
moved amendments to the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism Bill 2002
to ensure any listing should be subject to veto by Parliament.
"The Foreign Minister is given the power to financially destroy individuals
and organisations who can be listed and have their finances and other
assets frozen without reference to parliament or any other body," Senator
Brown said.
"Under the Charter of the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures)
Regulations 2001 introduced in October last year, people and organisations
can have their credit cards taken and bank accounts frozen at the
behest of the Minister. This bill ratifies that extraordinary power into law.
"Despite Labor arguing over the last few months it is opposed to
proscription and that only the organisations listed by the UN should be
proscribed subject to Parliamentary oversight, it has supported this
backdoor proscription.
"The loose and wide-open provisions of this bill mean there is nothing to
stop a future government from freezing the bank accounts of trade unions
and community organisations on the flimsy bassi that their activities were
a threat to public health and safety. Activists and protesters added to the
list would have their credit cards confiscated."
"Labor has failed to keep to its promise of opposing proscription," Senator
Brown said.
Further information: Ben Oquist 02 62773170 or 0419704095
Ben Oquist
Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown
02 62773170 ph
02 62773185 fx
www.bobbrown.org.au
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