Anti-Terrorism Act 2005

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The Anti-Terrorism Act 2005[1] is a counter-terrorism law passed by the Australian Parliament on 6 December 2005[2] intended to hamper the activities of any potential terrorists in the country.

Chronology

The Bill was prepared by the Liberal-National Coalition government in the wake of a series of terrorist attacks overseas, in particular London, with the stated intent of preventing such events from happening in Australia.

Due to the division of powers in Australia's constitution, the Bill needed the support of the states. An outline of the Bill was given in-principle support by the State Premiers.

Prior to its reading in federal Parliament, a confidential draft of the legislation was published online by ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, who stated "Law of this significance made in this haste can't be good law". The Opposition and minor parties expressed concern that a Senate inquiry would not be given enough time to consider the new laws.[3] Prime Minister John Howard rejected the concern and criticised Stanhope, saying that "the premiers and the other chief minister did not deserve to be hijacked in relation to their ability to participate in consultation."[4] The public exposure saw elements of the Bill, including a 'shoot to kill' clause, criticised as excessive. Victorian Premier Steve Bracks noted the 'shoot to kill' clause had not been discussed at the Council of Australian Governments meeting where the draft laws were forged. Community concern arose that Muslims would be unfairly targeted by the new law.[5]

The Australian government planned for the Bill to be introduced, debated and passed on 1 November 2005 (Melbourne Cup race day). The Labor Opposition and the minor parties decried the paucity of time allowed for debate. The Prime Minister agreed to allow more time on the proviso that the Bill be passed before Christmas 2005.

The Bill became law on 6 December 2005. Measures for greater protection of free speech and greater scrutiny of the law's application, proposed at different stages by individual government members and Labor, were not accommodated.[5] Labor voted to support the Bill. The Greens and Australian Democrat senators voted against.[6]

Constitutional issues

The first three "chapters" of the Australian Constitution separate power between the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government. This "separation of powers" doctrine has been interpreted by the High Court in Lim v Minister for Immigration (1992) 176 CLR 1 as granting an immunity for Australian Citizens from involuntary detention by the Government except as a consequence of a finding of criminal guilt before a court. There are some exceptions, such as the detention of a person following their arrest and before they are brought before a court, or whilst on remand awaiting trial where bail is refused. The Federal Government appears to have interpreted as Constitutional periodic detention for up to 48 hours and co-operated with State governments (which do not have the same entrenched separation of powers doctrine) to allow for detention up to 14 days. The Federal government also introduced "control orders" which allow for a range of restrictions to be placed on an individual (who has not been charged, let alone found guilty of any criminal offence) including subjecting that person to 12 months house arrest. [7]

Former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie announced that he has received advice that the blurring of boundaries between the executive and judicial powers is likely to be unconstitutional. This assertion was rejected by the then Prime Minister, John Howard: "Lawyers often have different opinions as to what the law means.".[8] Former federal Treasurer Peter Costello has adopted a more cautious attitude, stating that "you never really know" the answer to the vexed question of constitutionality "until such time as the courts decide on these things".(SMH, 27 October 2005) According to spokespeople for the then Prime Minister, his and the Treasurer's views were compatible, but some media outlets, including the Sydney Morning Herald, insinuated otherwise.

Deficiencies in previous laws

Attorney General Philip Ruddock said that the new laws are needed,[9] on advice from the Australian Federal Police that existing laws would not protect Australians from London-style terrorist attacks.[10]

Summary of changes

The "shoot to kill" clause

The "Shoot to kill" clause instructs police to treat people wanted under detention orders in the same way that an equivalent clause in the current law treats wanted suspects.

The clause in particular has raised the concern of some state premiers, the so-called "Shoot to kill" clause, where police may use lethal force if they perceive a threat to life. The clause was not put to the premiers in the original discussions between the States and Federal Governments.[11]

Law Council of Australia president John North, suggested that such powers were designed to protect police in the event of a mistaken fatal shooting such as that of Jean Charles de Menezes.[12]

John Howard has declared that the whole issue is a "misnomer, a furphy, a diversion,"[13] but has suggested that changes to the clause are possible.

The "reckless funding" clause

As a result of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2005, Division 103 of the Criminal Code makes it an offence to provide funds to a person who may use those funds to facilitate or engage in a terrorist act. These funds must be intentionally made available to another person (e.g., a donation or cash transfer). The definition of funds includes money and assets of any kind but does not include goods or services.[14] The mental element for the crimes created under Division 103 is subjective recklessness.[15] This means that the accused must know that there is a substantial risk of the funds being used for terrorism but still makes those funds available regardless of the risks involved in the matter.

Judicial oversight

The published version of the Anti-Terrorism Bill has attracted the criticism that it does not respect the separation of powers and is thus unconstitutional. Prime Minister John Howard has declared, "Speaking for the Commonwealth, and based on the advice I have received from the Crown law authorities at a Commonwealth level, these laws are quite constitutional."[16] John North, President of the Law Council of Australia, said "The power to make control orders is to be given to federal courts and is clearly non-judicial. Judicial power requires a fair procedure, including notice of the proceedings and disclosure of the basis upon which orders are sought and made. None of this occurs in relation to control orders."[17] Similar concerns were raised by the Queensland and Western Australian Premiers and NSW Premier Morris Iemma.[16]

See also

Wikinews has related news: Australian PM says proposed Anti-Terror Laws are Constitutional

References

  1. ↑ "An Act to amend the law relating to terrorist acts, and for other purposes". 03/11/2005. Check date values in: |date= (help) The actual act
  2. ↑ Senate passes counter-terrorism laws. 06/12/2005. ABC News Online Archived 13 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ Nick McKenzie (17 October 2005). "Stanhope flags doubts on 'hasty' terrorism bill". AM. ABC. Archived from the original on 27 July 2009.
  4. ↑ "Stanhope under fire over bill leak". ABC News Online. ABC. 15 October 2005. Archived from the original on 11 February 2011.
  5. 1 2 Michael Gordon, Barney Zwartz & Rachel Kleinman (19 October 2005). "Unease mounts over anti-terrorism laws". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax.
  6. ↑ Jewel Topsfield (7 December 2005). "Anti-terror laws rammed through - minus debate". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax.
  7. ↑ Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) div 104.
  8. ↑ Lateline - 25/10/2005: Proposed counter-terrorism laws may face constitutional challenge Archived 21 December 2010 at WebCite
  9. ↑ Insiders - 30/10/2005: Labor awaits tabling of anti-terrorism bill Archived 21 December 2010 at WebCite
  10. ↑ Lateline - 31/10/2005: Keelty puts case for terrorism laws Archived 21 December 2010 at WebCite
  11. ↑ Andrew Clennell and Louise Dodson "States draw the line at shoot-to-kill laws", Sydney Morning Herald, 21 September 2005, retrieved 4 August 2011
  12. ↑ newsunleashed.com Archived 21 December 2010 at WebCite
  13. ↑ Michelle Grattan (24 September 2005). "Terror shoot law may alter". The Age. Melbourne. Archived from the original on 23 June 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  14. ↑ Criminal Code (Cth) s 100.1
  15. ↑ Criminal Code (Cth) ss 103.1(1)(b), 103.2(1)(b)
  16. 1 2 "Anti-Terrorism Bill Constitutional".
  17. ↑ Law Council of Australia - Media Release - Anti-Terror Bill: Judiciary Compromised - 25 October 2005 Archived 13 January 2006 at the Wayback Machine.

External links

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Popular press response:

Other commentary:

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