“The Bill allows for people to be arrested, detained and interrogated solely for the purpose of gaining information. Those people have committed no crime,” said Simeon Beckett, a spokesperson for ALHR. This latest collection of amendments merely soften the blow."

The Bill could catch journalists, doctors and clergy who may have information about a terrorism offence as part of their work, or who have an professional or pastoral association with a person who is suspected to be a terrorist.
“Are we to see journalists hauled off for interrogation if they have interviewed someone about Jemaah Islamiyah? What does that say about freedom of the press?” said Simeon Beckett.

Despite the new safeguards for 16 and 17 year olds, they may still be detained for up to 7 days. While parents must be present during formal questioning there is no such right when their son or daughter is sitting in a prison cell. This part of the Bill clearly offends the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“When similar powers are given to police they are made publicly accountable. The government is giving ASIO greater powers than the police and making them less accountable/requiring less accountability,” Beckett said.

Complaints about the actions of ASIO officers will not go beyond the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and the Attorney-General. ASIO will not be publicly accountable and there will be grave concerns for those arrested in the absence of such accountability. There needs to be a properly accountable process without the need for detention.

Media contacts: Simeon Beckett on 0412 008 039, Simon Rice on 0408 088 024

back to top

This page last updated 4th May 2004