Under the new laws, the government will be able to lock up people in secret “preventive” detention without charges for 14 days—double the time previously allowed. The police will be able to impose electronic shackles or other restrictions for one year on the movements and communications of “terror suspects” who have not been convicted. Cops will also have wider search and interrogation powers. A federal lower house Labor amendment to drop the sedition section was defeated November 29. Sweeping curbs on free speech and press freedoms were reduced in the bill after widespread public criticism.

The law revives the offense of “sedition,” covering supposed threats to the “peace, order and good government of the commonwealth.” Critics say the charge of “sedition” is so sweeping it could be used to prosecute individuals opposing government policy on the basis that they support the insurgency in Iraq or Afghanistan. While some Labor Party politicians criticized the conservative Liberal Party prime minister, John Howard, over a few of his proposals for increased police powers, Labor-led state and territory governments have passed similar laws.

All but one of the Labor members of Parliament voted for the Liberals’ bill December 7. The Democrats and Greens, minor capitalist parties in the senate, opposed the bill, arguing that sufficient police powers already exist.
 
 
Related articles:
Air marshals kill mentally ill man in Miami; passengers dispute bomb claim  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home