Australia:Govt under attack over anti-terror inquiry

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The Federal Opposition and the Australian Democrats say a Senate inquiry into the Government's proposed anti-terror laws is farcical and an affront to the Australian public. The Government announced an inquiry will examine the proposed laws, but the Opposition says it effectively gives senators just one day to examine the bills.

Labor's homeland security spokesman, Arch Bevis, says the inquiry will be unable to scrutinise whether the legislation provides a balance between security and civil rights. "You don't get that considered, balanced outcome by rushing legislation through the Parliament," he said. Mr Bevis says the Government should reconsider its position when Parliament resumes in two weeks. "We will again offer to the Government a practical solution to deal with this legislation, to enable the Senate to conduct a proper inquiry and give about two weeks after that, to consider that Senate report," he said.

The Democrats deputy leader, Andrew Bartlett, says it is outrageous that such an important piece of legislation is being pushed through Parliament with such little scrutiny. "What the Government has offered us is a one week inquiry into anti-terrorism legislation or no inquiry at all," he said. "From the Democrats point of view, that is an absolute disgrace. It is an unprecedented abuse of basic parliamentary procedure." Senator Bartlett says the Government is abusing its control of the Senate to establish a farcical inquiry into laws that have a significant impact. He says Coalition senators need to pressure the Government into extending the length of time they will have to examine the bills.

"Our immediate concern is to pressure each and every one of the National and Liberal Party senators to ensure that at least we get a minor opportunity for some sort of vaguely credible inquiry into the anti-terrorism legislation," he said. Special Minister of State, Eric Abetz, says the Government had allowed for a longer inquiry, but was stymied by the Opposition. "They should be looking into themselves as to why they moved an amendment, knowing in doing so they would be deferring this matter," he said. The Government wants to pass the new anti-terror laws by Christmas.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200510/s1481945.htm