Government push for increased terror laws

The Federal Government is pushing for Australia's secret 
police, ASIO, to have more powers, including the right to detain 
people indefinitely. It is using the arrest in Sydney and 
deportation to France of an alleged al-Qaida suspect, Willie 
Brigitte, as an excuse. The move comes as the Government cranks 
up its election machine.

The Government also hopes to push through new legislation to kill 
off the powers of the Senate and give federal government the 
right to cut off the internet and phone services of groups and 
individuals involved in such activities as organising protests.

The arrest of Brigitte saw another wave of raids on homes in 
Sydney. The lawyer for one of the families said his clients had 
never spoken to or met Brigitte, a French national.

Under the most recent terror laws, those who have their tele-
communications cut off will not have to be told beforehand that 
they have failed a security check.

The Government will be able to order the Australian 
Communications Authority to refuse a licence to 
telecommunications service providers. The Authority will also 
have to get permission from the Attorney-General's office before 
granting a licence to any provider.

The Government's attempt to undermine the vetting power of the 
Senate came in a proposal for joint sittings of both Houses when 
the Senate blocks legislation, which in the present parliament 
would ensure such legislation were passed.

Such a development would require a change to the Constitution.

The Government also recently put the reintroduction of the death 
penalty on the political agenda, with Prime Minister Howard 
calling for a "debate" on capital punishment.

Seen in the context of the draconian powers already given to ASIO 
— passed with the support of the ALP in June — as well as the 
Federal Police, ASIS and the Australian military forces, this 
latest attempt to widen the arrest and detention powers of ASIO 
is a further pointer to the dangerous dictatorial agenda of the 
Howard Government.

Prior to the 2000 Sydney Olympics the Defence Legislation 
Amendment (Aid to the Civil Authorities) Bill gave the army the 
power to "suppress political disturbances" within Australia and 
to shoot to kill.