It doesn't demonstrate the need for this bill at all. It shows that the
current measures for dealing with civil unrest area adequate. And if you
are going to posit a conspiracy you have to explain why 80 or so young
refugees would put themselves in a position where they are likely to be
deported back to their country of origin for the benefit of a government
which is making it difficult for them to migrate.
I don't believe that there is any chance of any sort of repressive regime
establishing itself in Australia in the near future. Where is there any
indication that this might occur?
You might also like to enlighten me about this dramatic erosion of civil
liberties that has been occurring. I acknowledge that both sides of
politics when in government tend to take a tougher view of what is a
legimitate civil liberty. For example Nick Bolkus tried to significantly
curtail the right to political free speech and was over-turned by the High
Court. And while the ABN might be a potential threat to civil liberties, it
was Hawke who championed the Australia Card. But I have not seen any
dramatic winding back, even though I may be uncomfortable with some
measures.
Graham
----- Original Message -----
From: "Trudy & Rod Bray" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2000 1:29 PM
Subject: Re: [recoznet2] Aid to the civil authority
>
>
> Graham Young wrote:
>
> > But, if there were a conspiracy, wouldn't it be more likely that people
> > trying to disrupt the passage of the bill would have organised this
rather
> > than the other way around?
>
> I don't see your reasoning here, Graham. To me, what happened at Woomera
> plays into the hands of those in favour of this legislation. It
> demonstrates the need for this bill and I'm sure Ruddock will milk it
> for all it's worth.
>
> > And as we have broached the issue of the codification of the army's
powers
> > in the context of "domestic violence", while I think I would take a
similar
> > position to John Dowd who criticised it in the last few days, I think
some
> > of the debate has bordered on the hysterical. We are being asked to
believe
> > by some that our troops, just having come home from East Timor where
they
> > would have been acutely aware of the problems that arise when you mix
the
> > army up in civilian policing, are going to somehow be used to suppress
> > unarmed innocent civilians or unionists by force. I don't think so.
>
> I hope your faith is rewarded. I'm sure there are those who believed the
> same thing of their governments in other countries just before they were
> proved wrong. Any time you have fearful politicians who call out armed
> resistance against their own citizens, they will create the same fear in
> those facing the angry crowd. Most shooting is done out of fear. Most
> police brutality in crowd situation is committed out of fear. There is
> no reason or reasoning in fear - that comes after the fact when it is
> too late.
>
> And I
> > don't think any government who tried to do such a thing would stand any
> > chance of getting re-elected at the next election.
>
> Ah, but governments also act when they think they have nothing left to
> lose. This government has whittled away at human rights and civil
> liberties ever since it was elected the first time but it has done so
> mostly by stealth. I do not believe that most Australians are aware of
> how greatly their rights and liberties have been eroded. This
> legislation is just another step on a wellworn path.
>
> I think Howard is counting on the ignorance of the population with
> respect to what is possible and it won't hurt him politically unless
> people become more informed.
>
> Trudy
> >
> > Graham
> >
> --
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