|
Ozzies compromise on anti-terrorist bill
SYDNEY - Australiaâs conservative government on Wednesday signalled a willingness to compromise on controversial new anti-terrorism legislation that opponents Prime Minister John Howard also indicated he could postpone introduction of the new laws in parliament, which had been scheduled for debate next week on âMelbourne Cupâ day, when public attention will be focussed on Australiaâs premier thoroughbred horse race. Speaking from neighboring Papua New Guinea, where he was attending a regional summit, Howard said he was happy to change a controversial element of the new legislation granting shoot-to-kill powers to police in cases involving suspected terrorists. âIâm quite happy to change it provided the situation is covered,â Howard said. âIâm quite relaxed about the final form of the legislation providing it delivers on the substance of the agreement.â Howard said the legislationâs shoot-to-kill provisions merely added the crime of terrorism to powers police already held in dealing with other categories of crime. âAt no stage was it designed to give police extra protection,â he said. Posted by: Steve White 2005-10-27 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=133289 |