The Greens’ Shane Rattenbury is calling for a review of the terror laws before they get extended for another five years:
“The Government have foreshadowed they will roll the ACTs Counter Terrorism Act over for another five years. The best way the Government can justify a roll over is to publish a full human rights compatibility statement which contains the reasons why the laws are needed in 2011 and beyond”, Shane Rattenbury said.
“The Counter Terrorism Act allows for police to detain someone without charge and to prevent them from contacting family and friends while locked up. These are invasive powers and we must guard against the situation where we accept, without question, that they are a permanent fixture in Australian society.
”I’ve written to the Attorney setting out what we think the analysis needs to cover and I’m hopeful we will see the work released during the year.
“The analysis we have asked for is critical to the ongoing task of making sure our terror laws are proportionate to the risk.
“There are eight months before the Bill needs to be passed by the Assembly which is more than enough time to get the work done and have it released”, Shane Rattenbury said.
Has the absence of terror attacks in Canberra been due to the protection of these laws? Or does it show they’re worthless?
Either way, it’s well worth having a look.