Briefings
2 total works
In this timely and important book, Andrew Lynch and George Williams provide a clear and accessible guide to the major components of Australias anti-terrorism laws and their effects. They show readers: what constitutes a crime of terrorism in Australia what powers our main intelligence agency has to question and detain members of the community what happens when the authorities seek a control order or an order of preventative detention over an individual what speech risks making a person liable for the crime of sedition how judicial processes have been modified for the trial of people charged with terrorism offences Lynch and Williams have contributed vigorously to the public debate since September 11. In What Price Security? they argue that Australia has gone too far in limiting civil rights in the name of anti-terrorism. In fighting the war on terror, they write, it is vital that we do not allow ourselves to become the victim of our own fears.
Australia is the only democratic country in the world that does not have a national charter or bill that protects basic human rights. Many countries have a constitutional bill of rights; many others have legislated to create charters of rights. Australia is the odd country out. In this fully updated edition of his influential book, ""The Case for an Australian Bill of Rights"", lawyer and commentator George Williams argues that the Australian parliament should create a charter of rights drawing on the successful examples of New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He shows how the case for reform has grown stronger in recent years, and how the momentum for change has accelerated with the creation of charters of rights in the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. Professor Williams played a key role in the development of the Victorian charter, and describes how the process that led to the innovative ACT and Victorian legislation can be used to create a federal charter.