Controversial anti-terrorism bill gets reviewed
This Friday marks the closing date for submissions to a parliamentary committee looking at some of Australia’s more controversial anti-terrorism laws. The ASIO Bill 2002 was passed when fear over the threat of terrorism, in the post-September 11 environment, was at its height. The laws allow for the detention without trial of those suspected of committing terrorism for up to seven days without trial. It also captures those who may only know something about a terrorist threat. Those detained are unable to speak about their experiences for two years. Civil libertarians say the laws go much further than their US or UK counterparts. However, the government maintains the laws are justified and have appropriate safe guards in place. This report begins with comments from Joo Chong Tham, a senior lecturer in law at Melbourne University. Here he discusses the aims of the parliamentary committee, which is reviewing ASIO’s controversial powers to detain without trial.