- Proposed ASIO laws posed a grave threat to democracy
by gagging the press, media groups warned.
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- The ASIO Legislation Amendment Bill 2003, currently before
the Senate, intends to boost interrogation powers for the intelligence
agency.
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- Labor has indicated it will support the new powers.
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- Fairfax, News Limited, SBS, the ABC, Australian Press
Council and Commercial Radio Australia urged the Senate in a letter to
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock not to pass the bill until several issues
were resolved.
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- "Under the proposed amendments, individuals could
face five-year jail terms for reporting the details of warrants issued
for the investigation of terrorism," the letter said.
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- "This could potentially put a stop to any media
coverage of ASIO investigations of terrorism in Australia."
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- The media organisations also expressed concern that ASIO's
warrant regime would be broader than that of any Australian police force,
and that its investigative powers went further than those in other western
democracies including the United States.
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- Under the bill being considered by parliament, the disclosure
of operational information is prohibited.
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- The media groups said the broad definition of operational
information posed a grave threat to Australian democracy by gagging the
media and its ability to report on national security issues involving ASIO.
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- All discussion of ASIO's activities in relation to terrorism
would be removed from public scrutiny, they said.
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- "Such a measure to address threats of terrorism
is capable of being used by the government against Australian citizens
while providing little tangible benefit, save for a complete media blackout
of those matters that are so important in this political climate,"
the letter said.
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- "We respectfully urge the Senate not to rush into
law these very flawed provisions in the Bill."
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- The media organisations said they were willing to work
with interested senators to develop amendments to address their concerns.
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- Thursday is the last scheduled sitting day of parliament
for the year and the government has the support to get its ASIO legislation
through the Senate.
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- ©2003 AAP
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- http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/12/03/1070351656797.html
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