Australia must focus on defending multiculturalism, rather than dreaming up new kinds of legislation or security measures, in order to combat terrorism. That’s the message coming loud and clear from the Democrats today. The call for a refocusing of the debate follows days of speculation about how terrorism may be prevented in Australia. Leaders have suggested everything from tougher security measures on transport to a crack down on who may be allowed to enter the country. However, will any of these measures solve the terrorism puzzle? And can we really be safe from so-called “homegrown terrorists” by just clamping down on security and civil liberties or are there other solutions we should consider? In a moment we’ll here from Democrats Senator Bartlett but first, this report begins with comments from Dr Mike McKinley. He is a security analyst and senior lecturer in International Relations at the Australian national University. Erica Vowles asked him whether increased security and surveillance on our public transport system is likely to reduce the threat of terrorist attacks.

One of the most controversial aspects of the Howard government's practical reconcilation approach is shared responsibility agreements, which involve health, education and infrastructure funding for indigenous communities if they fulfill certain requirements. Since shared responsibility agreements, or SRA's, began last year, criticism emerged about the conditions being placed on communities, particularly in regards to Mulan in Western Australia, where a petrol bowser was provided in return for hygiene standards being enforced. A particular feature of SRA's is that each agreement is specific to that community's situation, and often, the communities end of the bargain involves initiatives they devised themselves. An example is the recent signing of an SRA to assist the funding of a remote dialysis service for communities in the Northern Territory and WA. Sarah Brown is the manager of the Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaka Corporation, which helps dialysis patients remain in their local communities. She spoke to Bill Birtles.

While Australia, the UK and Eqypt consider strengthening their anti-terrorism powers in the face of multiple attacks around the globe, a new law adopted by the Thai government has today been condemned by the Press Council of Thailand. The Decree, brought in following attacks in the countries three Southern-most provinces where the countries Muslim minority has long fought a separatist battle, gives the Thai government powers to declare a state of emergency in any part of the country and guarentees government troops impunity from criminal, civil or disciplinary actions. However most alarmingly, the Decree gives the Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra the right to censor news and interfere with the way reporters gather information. And while the Thai government says that it will most likely not use the new powers, others believe the effects of the Decree are already having a marked effect on the countries media. Charles Gregory reports.

The Hunter Valley renowned for its vineyards and world class wines, has a dirty secret. As the coal capital of New South Wales, it generates 40 megatonnes of CO2 emissons every year -on par with what is produced by Australia’s total car fleet. A campaign launched this morning in Newcastle by local community groups and Greenpeace, put the focus back onto the destructive nature of coal by calling for the establishment of the ‘Hunter Sustainable Future Fund’. The Fund would require the Government to impose a 10 cent per tonne levy on the coal industry to research and invest in clean energy alternatives. Georgina Wood is a campaigner with the Newcastle based group, Rising Tide. She argues that while the Federal Government and business are failing to shift their mind set, the local community is prepared to meet the challenge. She’s speaking with Paulina Vidal.

A former analyst for the Office of National Assessments and foreign affairs advisor to ex-Labor Leader Simon Crean says claims of a pro-Indonesia bias in Australia’s intelligence agencies is baseless. This claim stands in stark contrast to the opinion of Lieutenant Colonel Lance Collins a whistleblower in the Australian army. Last night, ABC TV aired his views in a documentary in which he accused the Australian army, intelligence services and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of acting not in Australia’s interest but in Jakarta’s. Collins was head of intelligence during Australia’s deployment of peacekeeping troops in East Timor and was hand picked for the job by former head of the Defense Force Peter Cosgrove. He alleges that in the lead up to East Timor’s vote for independence in 1999 Australian intelligence sources were aware of a build of pro-Indonesian militia but did not report this for fear of upsetting their political masters. When he continued to submit reports implicating the Indonesian military in atrocities officials at the Defense Intelligence Organisation cut a satellite link that provided intelligence to Australian troops for 24 hours. A report by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Ian Carnell found the cut had been intentional but cleared head of DIO, Frank Lewincamp of personal responsibility. Mr Carnell’s report is with the Defence Minister Robert Hill who has not released it publicly. Former Simon Crean advisor Dr Carl Ungerer spoke to Michael Atkin about why he disagrees with the claims made by Lance Collins.