Push for overhaul of laws on terrorism
Tom Allard; 12/4/08
The country’s intelligence watchdog, Ian Carnell, has called on the Federal Government to make substantial changes to anti-terrorism laws, saying some of them can hinder counter-terrorism efforts by unnecessarily antagonising Muslims. In an interview with the Herald, Mr Carnell, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, said there was a strong case for reviewing the strict rules that keep “national security” information secret in trials. “My belief is that a key test for liberal democracies in the area of counter-terrorism is a willingness to revisit what was introduced when there was a sense of urgency and, if necessary, modify the measures to ensure effectiveness, balance and proportionality,” he said. “This is particularly so if some aspects may be counter-productive, such as adding to the sense of alienation and discrimination which members of the Muslim communities can suffer.”
Tags: Australia, Human Rights, Terrorism