The Terrorble Laws

The ABC reports that coalition MPs have forced some major changes to the Federal Government's counter-terrorism laws, which have been introduced into Parliament. The definition of what constitutes incitement has been tightened, apparently "addressing some freedom of speech concerns.

But not mine: as Hugo Kelly reports in Crikey (daily email, 3 September, 2005), this is the final clause in Section 30A:

" ...seditious intention means an intention to effect any of the following purposes:
(a) to bring the Sovereign into hatred or contempt;
(b) to urge disaffection against the following:
(i) the Constitution; (ii) the Government of the Commonwealth; (iii) either House of the Parliament"

So there will be a review of the new laws by a former judge, so what? The judiciary is a part of the Government of the Commonwealth so it would be illegal to criticise any decisions they make. Mind you, it looks like 30A(b)(ii) would make it illegal for members of the House of Reps to criticise the Senate...

Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Howard has strongly rejected suggestions that his warning of "specific intelligence" of a terrorist attack and the introduction of urgent legislation to deal with that threat is a political conspiracy.

This is a straw man, surely? We don't think it was a "political conspiracy", we just think it was a politically cynical move. He can deny it, but, given that almost everything Howard does comes from the Karl Rove playbook -- that is, if they did it in the U.S. last year, they'll try it here this year -- does anyone believe him anymore?

Sadly, yes. But not me -- Time wasn't of the essence: Howard was happy to wait for 24 hours until the legislation passed, so it wasn't that urgent. What was important was getting the WorkChoices and Terrorble legislation off the front page.

Attorney-General Philip "Zombie" Ruddock also says the timing is a coincidence. "I don't manufacture advice that we have received," Mr Ruddock said.

No, we probably get the Americans to manufacture it for us. Or the Italians - that's more their style.

Understatement of the day: Opposition leader in the Senate, Chris Evans: "There is a well founded perception that the Government has not always played a straight bat on these issues."

Terrorism experts have speculated that attacks being planned on Sydney and Melbourne were behind the urgency to force new anti-terrorism legislation through Parliament. I have speculated that someone heard that my wife was off to Melbourne at Christmas to visit her sister.