On March 14, the House of Representatives passed a series of draconian "anti-terrorist" laws, with the most profound consequences for all Australians. The government introduced 100 pages of bills, together with another 100 pages of explanatory memoranda just the day before, and rammed the bills through within 24 hours. They then allowed a mere two weeks for "public comment" before a Senate committee. The bills will come before the Senate when it reconvenes on June 17.

As originally drafted, the bills would allow: the Attorney General to ban any organisation he feels like, and the jailing of its members or supporters for 25 years; create an extremely broad new "terrorism" offence which would snare many union activities, civil disobedience and even normal political activity in its net; ASIO to pick up and detain people indefinitely on the slightest pretext, with no lawyer, no right to remain silent, and a 5-year jail sentence if you don't produce a document or other information they claim you have; wholesale tapping of phones, fax, and email, with virtually no restrictions, etc. etc. Additionally, the bills reversed the onus of proof, so that someone has to prove that he or she is not a terrorist, or has not aided a terrorist.

All of this was done, despite the fact that some of the finest legal minds in the country have testified that there is no need for this legislation, that the existing criminal code (with possible minor changes) is ample to capture any offences of "terrorism".

A public uproar forced the postponement of the government's plans to force these bills through the Senate May 14-17. However, with some revisions, the government still plans to ram the bills through on June 17 or shortly thereafter, and has struck a deal with the leadership of the ALP to do so, despite the fact that the Victorian state conference of the ALP on May 18-19, and the New South Wales ALP state conference on May 25-26, both overwhelmingly passed strongly worded resolutions calling for the bills to be scrapped.

There is a precise historical precedent for the proposed Coalition/ALP legislation.

On Feb. 28, 1933, using the excuse of the Nazi-rigged Reichstag Fire the previous evening, the Nazis rammed through the Cabinet an Emergency Decree which served as the basis for Hitler's dictatorship, and for the construction of the concentration camps within weeks. The key paragraph of the Decree, which overturned the existing Weimar Constitution, said: "Restrictions on personal liberty, on the right of free expression of opinion, including freedom of the press; on the rights of assembly and association; and violations of the privacy of postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications and warrants for house searches, orders for confiscations as well as restrictions on property, are also permissible beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed."

The following statement was initiated on May 7, and has been signed by many thousands of Australians, some of whose names are included below.

A point-by-point comparison of the Howard government's proposed new "anti-terrorist" legislation, with the February 28, 1933 Notverordnung (Emergency Decree) by which Hitler consolidated his dictatorship, shows the two to be virtually identical. Therefore, the ripping-up of civil liberties proposed by the Howard government is, in the most literal sense of the term, fascist, and must be thrown out. No democratic society should even consider the draconian, fascist measures which the Howard government is proposing.

 This statement is endorsed by:

The Hon. Jim Cairns, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, 1974-1975*

Irina Dunn, Senator for New South Wales*; Executive Director of New South Wales Writers Centre

Tom Helm, JP, Member Legislative Council of Western Australia*

Joan Coxsedge,  Member of Legislative Assembly, of Victoria*; Chair, Committee for the Abolition of Political Police,VIC

Noel McPhail, Wing Commander of Australian Air Force, DFC, DFM, AE, Lane Cove, NSW*

Paddy Crumlin, National Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia

Rick Newlyn, Assistant National Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia

Tony Papaconstuntinus, NSW State Secretary, Builders Trades Group of Unions; National Secretary Maritime Union of Australia*

Kevin McParland, WA President, Construction and General Division, CFMEU

Paul Boyle, WA President, Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), Locomotive Division

William Game, WA State Secretary, Electrical Division, Construction Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU)

Gary Wood, WA State Secretary, Mining and Energy Division, CFMEU

Scott McLean, Tasmanian State Secretary, Forestry and Furnishing Division, CFMEU

Derrick Belan, NSW State Secretary, National Union of Workers, Granville, NSW

Tony Benson, Secretary, CFMEU, Construction and General Division, Newtown, TAS

Laurie Preston, Senior Convenor, Australian Workers Union, Pinjarra, WA

Peg Jenkins, Past President and Secretary, Seamen's Union Women's Committee; Past Executive Member MUSA, TAS

Ken "Dusty" Miller, Southern NSW/ACT District Organiser, Forestry and Furniture Div., CFMEU

Simon Hall, Delegate Commonwealth Public Service Union*; Chairman of Occupation and Health and Safety Sub-committee, Australian Bureau of Statistics, VIC*

Wayne McAndrew, Snr District Vice President, Mining and Energy Div., CFMEU, Lithgow, NSW

Gerard Shelverton, Secretary, Rail Tram and Bus Union, TAS

Peter Davidson, Industrial Officer, National Tertiary Education Union, ACT

Bob Haines, Executive Committee Member, United Firefighters Union of Adelaide, SA

Les Jarrett, Divisional Secretary, Tram and Bus Division, Rail Tram and Bus Union, SA

Jim Buchanan, President and Secretary, Miners Union Mechanics Killingworth Branch*; District Delegate Federated Mine Mechanics*, NSW*

Paul Currie, Branch Secretary, Glass and Container Branch, Australian Workers Union, NSW

Tom Watson, Victorian State Secretary, Federated Engine Drivers & Firemans Assn./CFMEU

Bill White, Asst. State Secretary, Construction & General Div., CFMEU, TAS

Ms Pat Branson, Project Organiser, CPSU/CSA, Perth, WA

Brian McCarthy, Convenor, CFMEU*; Chairman, Citizens Electoral Council, WA

Peter Rozentals, Convenor, CPSU, Alcoa, Pinjarra, WA

Warren Melling, Delegate, Vehicle Division, Australian Manufacturers Workers Union, Charlestown, NSW

Dennis Pukallus, Delegate, Queensland Public Service Union, Mackay, QLD

Graham White, District VP, Mining and Energy Div., CFMEU, Wollongong, NSW

Lloyd Roots, Shop Steward, Australian Metal Workers Union (AMWU), Weipa, QLD

Joe Fala, Metal Trades Organiser, CEPU, Mt Hawthorn, WA

Philip Illidge, Secretary, Sydney Sub-Branch, Forestry and Furnishing Div., CFMEU, NSW

David Jessup, Sub Branch, Pulp and Paper Branch, CFMEU, VIC

Leon Hoskins, Shop Steward (18yrs) AMWU, Knoxfield, VIC*

Stephen LeBrun, Delegate, Federated Miscellaneous Workers Union, NT*

Basil Atkins, Shop Steward, Federated Moulders Union, Busselton, WA*

Ray Smith, Chairman, Mineral Sands NSW State Committee, Australian Workers Union*; Branch Chairman, National Party, Coopernook, NSW*

Craig Isherwood, National Secretary, Citizens Electoral Council of Australia

Paul Scobie, President, Federal Electorate Council of ALP, Newcastle, NSW

Trevor Judd, President, One Nation, Flinders, VIC

Jim Cassidy, Policy Coordinator and State Executive member, Pauline Hanson's One Nation, NSW

Laurence A Ryder, Honorary Secretary Gwydir Electors Association, NSW

Gordon Leyton, State Treasurer, One Nation, VIC; Branch Secretary, ALP Maryborough Branch, VIC*

Bill Fox, President, Maitland Branch Pauline Hanson's One Nation, NSW

Joe Bryant, National Coordinator, United People Power Inc., NSW

Gillian Blair, Australian Greens Convenor, Warrnambool Branch, VIC

Iman Taj Al-Hilali, Mufti of Australia

Sheikh Fehmi N. El-Imam, Secretary, Board of Imams of Victoria

Imam Abdul Razzak Bakro, Newport Mosque, VIC

Dr. Shabbir Ahmed, Imam, Rooty Hill Mosque, NSW

Imam Gul Saeed Shah, Doncaster, VIC

Imam Issa Musse, Almadina Mosque, Kingsville, VIC

Imam Abdelnasser Salah, Isomer Mosque, Lysterfield, VIC

Imam Rexhep Idrizi, Carlton Mosque, VIC

Imam Sabri Samson, Hobart Mosque; President, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, TAS

Ali Roude, Chairman, Islamic Council of NSW

Dr. Adbullah Mah, President, Islamic Council of WA

Keysar Trad, Vice President, Lebanese Moslem Association, NSW

Dr. Ameer Ali, Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Western Australia

Kuranda S. Seyit, Media Liaison Officer, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Editor, Australian-Muslim News, NSW

Dr. G.A. Khan, Councillor, Penrith Council; President Islamic Association of Western Suburbs of Sydney, NSW

Radwan Zeno, President, Australian Muslim Media, VIC

Mohammed Berjaoui, President, The Arab-Australian Friendship Society, Lyons, ACT

Anice Morsey, Vice President and General Secretary, Australian Arab Assn. VIC

Mohamed Dennaoui, President, Newport Islamic Society, VIC

Belal Assaad, Public Relations Officer, Islamic Society of Vic, Inc, Preston, VIC

Hasan Ali, Treasurer, Islamic Society of NSW, Surrey Hills Mosque

Fouad El Chami, Secretary, Islamic Society of NSW, Surrey Hills Mosque

Sam Adil, President Albanian Australian Muslim Society; Far Nth Qld representative on Queensland Irrigation Council, QLD

Waheed Khan, Chairman, United Muslim Migrants Association of Victoria, Inc.

Hashem Kleibo, President, Palestinian Association, QLD

Salah Garmian, President, Australian Kurdish Cultural Centre, Merrylands, NSW

Khaled Souki, Secretary, Newport Islamic Society, VIC

Sobia Khan, Secretary, Monash University Islamic Society, VIC

Zahy Zaibak, Journalist, An-Nahar, VIC

Elei Nadaf, Editor, El-Telegraph, VIC

George Esber, Editor, Almustaqbal (Future) newspaper, NSW

V. W. Kowalik, Publicist, Polish Media, Melbourne, VIC

Henryk Piechowski, Attachè Journalist, Carlton, VIC

Urszula Skocz, Radio Presenter and Producer, Albion, Vic

Nadine Saunders, Aboriginal Artist, Arts Culture Centre, Ceduna, SA

Melanie Fernando, Secretary/Receptionist, Western Aboriginal Legal Service, Dubbo, NSW

Ann Keogh, CEO, Aboriginal Medical Centre, Brewarrina, NSW

Lana Russell, Secretary, Cobar Aboriginal Land Council, NSW

Clinton Mailman, Aboriginal Health Worker, Mitchell, QLD

Marcie Payne, Solicitor, Aboriginal Legal Service, Coffs Harbour, NSW

Neil Gillespie, CEO, Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement Inc., Adelaide, SA

Debra Stead, CEO, Balranald Local Land Council, NSW

John E Ennis, CEO, North West Qld Land Council, Mt Isa, QLD

Cherie Brown, Volunteer, Aboriginal Medical Centre, Brewarrina, NSW

Eddy Smith, Volunteer, Aboriginal Medical Centre, Brewarrina, NSW

Rhonda MacLean, Clerk, Ngaimpe Aboriginal Corporation, Chettaway Pt., NSW

Gavin Greenoak, Managing and Scientific Director, Australian Photobiology Testing Facility, University of Sydney, NSW

Julienne van Loon, Lecturer, School of Communications and Cultural Studies, Curtin University of Technology, WA

Tracey Bretag, BA(Hons), MA, Lecturer, International Business, Wattle Park, SA

Dr. Arthur Veno, Director, Centre for Police and Justice Studies, Monash University, VIC*

Leiv R.A. Bornecrantz MBA, ACIS, Macquarie Fields, NSW

Jim Arnold, Research Technician, Australian National University, ACT

Arne Larsen, Consultant Engineer on construction of Sydney Opera House, East Maitland, NSW*

Dr. Margaret Howe, PhD, BVMS, BSc, VB; Board Member Wheatbelt Development Commission, Ferndale, WA*

Dr. Max Whisson, MB, BS, FRCPath, Deputy Director, Blood Transfusion Services, WA*

Dr. Eric Heidecker, Senior Lecturer in Applied Environmental Geology (retired), University of Queensland; University Staff Union Representative*, Fig Tree Pocket, QLD

Dennis Chaston, Senior Lecturer, Education and History (retired), Newcastle, NSW

Dr. Clare Rudkin, PhD, Zoologist, Barellan Point, QLD

Dr. William De Maria, University of Queensland.

Therese Davis, Lecturer, University of Newcastle, NSW

Kahn Quinlan, President, University of New England Student Association, Armidale, NSW

Betty Thai, President, Vietnamese Students Association, Victoria University, VIC

Stephen Parr, Politics and International Students Assn., Flinders University, SA

Kerry Hsu, Taiwanese Student Association, Griffith University, QLD

Geoff Muirden, Research Officer, Australian Civil Liberties Union, St. Kilda, VIC

Ron McLean, Chairman, Beverley Land Conservation District Committee, WA*

Don Woodcock, President, Quairading Land Conservation District Ctte; Green Corps Supervisor, WA*

Ashley Lewis, Deputy, State Salinity Council of WA

James Tilbury, Secretary, (40yrs) Lake Toolbrunup Bushfire Brigade. WA*

Dale S. Frankel, Past Chairman Murtoa Irrigators League; Member Wimmera Irrigation Advisory Body

Richard Witten, Past President, Rotary Club of Barraba, NSW

Kevin Schneider, Secretary/President, Local branch NSW Farmers Federation, Lavington, NSW*

Hugh Drum, Agricultural Co-op Director, Minyip, VIC

Arnold Read, Sugar Cane Farmer; Member Australian Canegrowers Assn.; Member Australian Cane Harvesters Assn.

Robert Glassborow, Past President, Rotary Club, Belgrave, Upwey, VIC

Jeanette Staehr, Marriage Celebrant, Barmera, SA

Walter Linker, Director, World Peace Research Centre, Salisbury, SA

Ged Hutchinson, President, Lightning Ridge, St. Vincent De Paul Conference, NSW

John T Elliott, Chairman, Mackay District Canegrowers Executive*; President Canegrowers Council*;   QLD

Stephen Lele, Secretary/Treasurer, Vigilantes Motor Cycle Club, Briar Hill, VIC

Mrs. Dorothy E. Hopwood, Former member of the National Council of Women of Victoria, representing the Penguin Club of Australia, Inc., Warranwood, VIC

Darren Boyle, Captain, Beverley Volunteer Fire and Rescue, WA

Anita Hoare, Organiser, Daylesford Forest Protection Group, VIC

Carolyn Chapple, Registered Nurse, Seaford VIC

Ms. Sammy Ringer, Rural Australians for Refugees; Television Writer, Maleny, QLD

Anne Coombs, Co-covenor, Rural Australians for Refugees; Writer, Exeter, NSW

Dr. Ursula Nixon, Rural Australians for Refugees, Nimmitabel, NSW

Tim Thorne, Writer, Launceston, TAS

Mary-Lou Howie, Publicist, Kew, VIC

Jane Scott, Film Producer, Paddington, NSW

Chris Noonan, Filmmaker, Clovelly, NSW

Jan Sardi, Filmmaker, Eltham, VIC

Linda Jaivin, Author and Translator, Sydney, NSW

Christina Norman, Film Technician, Port Melbourne, VIC

Beth Spencer, Author, Creswick, VIC

Graham Strachan, Lawyer and author, Jimboomba, QLD

Robert Butler, Solicitor; National Executive Member, Citizens Electoral Council, Chatswood, NSW

Anne Olsen, Retired Sydney Journalist, Howes Valley, NSW

A R Tony Pitt, Editor, The National Interest, Maryborough QLD

Ray Platt, Editor, The Strategy, Yarram, VIC

Sue Bushell, Journalist, Higgins, ACT

Marg Martin, Vice President, Quairading Chamber of Commerce, WA

Chris Pepper, Chairman, Beverley Chamber of Commerce and Industry, WA*

Karin Jeffree, National Sales Coordinator, 20th Century Fox, Paddington, NSW

J. Hurney, Principal Public Accountant, Penrith, NSW

Joe Carmody, Director, Carmody Specialist Engineering, Shepparton, VIC

David Stow, Senior Development Chemist, Orica Explosives, East Maitland, NSW

Dennis Doust, Minister, Uniting Church, Pingelly, WA

Laurie Johnson, Lay Preacher, Brookton Christian Fellowship, WA

John H. Corson, Parish Priest, St. John's Anglican Church, Boorowa, NSW

Glenn R. King, D.D., OStB, former School Principal,  Coonabarabran, NSW

Kenneth J. Clancy, Religious Brother, Chevalier College, Bowral, NSW

Pastor Ian McDougall, Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Wagin, WA

Neil Anderson, Pastor, Baptist Church, Wagin, WA

Pastor John Butler, Uniting Church, Wagin, WA

Cr. John D. Smith, Mayor, City of Whyalla, SA

Barbara Dunnett, President, Nannup Shire Council, WA

John Rutherford, Australian test cricketer*; Shire Councillor, Merredin (13yrs)*; Past President and current Vice President Merredin Museum and Historical Society, WA

Cr. Brian Hollands, Councillor, Harvey Shire, WA

Cr. Jim Everts, Councillor, City of Armadale, WA

Cr. Jeff Moore, Councillor, Mudgee Shire Council, NSW

Cr. Robert Blacklow, Shop Proprietor/Farmer,  Burnie, TAS

Cr. Hans Tol, Councillor, Newcastle City Council, NSW

Cr. John Tramby, Councillor, Moree Plains Shire Council, NSW

Cr. Stephen Green, Councillor, Burnie City Council, TAS

Cr. Noel Atkins, Councillor, Burnie City Council, TAS

Cr. Bob Loone, Councillor, Meander Valley Council, TAS

Cr. Les Langford, Councillor, Albury City Council, NSW

Cr. Elizabeth McLaurin, Councillor, Berrigan Shire Council, NSW

Henry Gillham, Councillor, Nebo Shire Council, QLD*

Cr. Nelson McIntoch, Councillor, Indigo Shire, VIC

Michael Popple, Town Clerk, Beswick Town Council, Katherine, NT

Maurice Hetherington, Councillor Banana Shire Council*; State Chairman Citizens Electoral Council of Australia, QLD

Cr. Des Thorne, Councillor, Latrobe Council, Port Sorell, TAS

Cr. Brian Cole, Councillor, Devonport Council, TAS

Cr. Fiona Buchan, Councillor, Kingborough Council,  Kingston Beach,TAS

Cr. Scott Wiggins, Councillor, Southern Midlands Council, Woodsdale, TAS

Cr. Graeme Jones, Councillor, Ongerup Shire Council, WA

Cr. Peter Lindsay, Councillor, Chartered Accountant, Margate,TAS

Cr. Peter McLeish, Councillor, Newcastle City Council, NSW

Robert Webb, Councillor, Cranbrook Shire*; LCDC Chairman Kent River Catchment, Kendenup, WA*

Cr. Terry McKenna, Councillor, Central Coast Council, Penguin, TAS

Cr. Michael Gadsell, Councillor, City of Belmont, WA

Cr. Ruth Russell, Councillor; Australian Democrat, Modbury North, SA

Cr. Rodney Cooper, Councillor, Central Coast Council, Ulverstone, TAS

Cr. Robert Campbell, JP, Sassafras, TAS

Cr. Waander Van Beek, Councillor, Berrigan Shire Council, Finley, NSW

Cr. Dudley Parker, Councillor, LaTrobe Council, TAS

* denotes former

 

The Coalition has now putforward "new, improved" versions of these Nazi-style bills, which retain their draconian essence, notwithstanding press reports of "compromise" or "watering down". If you do not want them to become the law of the land in our nation, you must act immediately. Call, write, or email your MP and Senators today —particularly those of the ALP, who now hold the deciding votes — and demand that they drop these laws entirely! Better yet, set up a meeting with them to make that demand in person. Keep bombarding them until you have heard that these bills have been scrapped entirely.  Also contact: John Howard — Ph: 02 9251 5711 Fax: 02 9251 5454 Email: www.pm.gov.au and Opposition Leader Simon Crean. Ph: 03 9545 6211 Fax: 03 9545 6299 Email: S.Crean.MP@aph.gov.au

 

For more information, contact the Citizens Electoral Council: Phone: 03 9354 0544, Email: cec@cecaust.com.au Web page: www.cecaust.com.au. If you wish to add your name to the petition, email, fax, or write to the CEC. Fax: 03 9354 0166 Mail: CEC, P.O. Box 376, Coburg, Vic. 3058.

The following individuals endorsed the ad after it appeared in The Australian on June 12th.