 Labor is calling on Prime Minister John Howard to allow a full and proper inquiry into the government's new anti-terror laws. Copies of the sweeping new laws leaked yesterday by the ACT Government have sparked concerns among legal experts.| 'Experts' who don't express 'concerns' don't have 'jobs'. |
The Government last week said it would introduce the laws to parliament on October 31, but only allow the Senate one week to investigate them and report by November 8. Opposition homeland security spokesman Arch Bevis said given the amount of concerns the new laws have raised, Mr Howard should allow more time for an inquiry. "With laws of this kind, the Australian people rightly deserve there be careful consideration to balance their rights against national security issues," he said. Parliament resumes for two weeks on October 31, with the first sitting week set aside for the Senate to hold its regular budget estimates committee inquiries. As a result, the Senate will struggle to hold its inquiry into the new anti-terror laws that week and report by November 8. Under the new laws, people who support insurgents can be jailed for up to seven years. Australian Federal Police will also be able to carry out what are termed preventative detention orders, effectively locking up people thought to be involved or to have knowledge of a terrorist act. Suspected terrorists who are detained by police will be able to ring loved ones but not tell them where they are, while judges can stop suspects from using the internet or telephones. |