[pf] Fwd from NZ Greens: New powers for Australian military

· Contains:
“If the Australian people don't like what the government is doing, how will
they be able to object in future?  Whatever is happening to democracy?” and:
 “the provision in the Bill which would prevent the military being used to
"stop or restrict any lawful protest" was inadequate as almost any protest
can be deemed unlawful by permission for the protest simply being
withdrawn.”  D.

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Delivered-To: davd@ihug.co.nz
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2000 07:56:44 +1200
To: g-.-.@phy.auckland.ac.nz
From: b-.-.@phy.auckland.ac.nz
Subject: New powers for Australian military

Graeme,

 If true, this is awful!  Unfortunately I have no reason to doubt it.

 Legislation has been introduced to the Australian House of Representatives
to allow the Prime Minister, with just two other Ministers, to call in the
military to deal with domestic disturbances.  Once called in, the military
may SHOOT TO KILL civilians.  And there's more on reducing civil liberties.

 If the Australian people don't like what the government is doing, how will
they be able to object in future?  Whatever is happening to democracy?

 My deepest sympathy to all Australians.

        B

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Press release from the Greens:

10 August 2000

Just over one month out from the Sydney Olympics, Green Party co-leader
Jeanette Fitzsimons said she was horrified at new legislation which would
give the Australian military new and wide-ranging new powers to suppress
domestic unrest.

The Defence Legislation (Aid to the Civilian Authorities) Bill has been
introduced to the Australian House of Representatives and is expected to
come before the Senate before the Olympics on September 15 and the protests
expected at the World Economic Forum in Melbourne on September 11.

The legislation allows the Prime Minister, with just two other Ministers, to
call in the military to deal with domestic disturbances.

Jeanette Fitzsimons said she shared the concerns held by Australian Greens
that many legitimate protests and political demonstrations could come under
the banner of 'domestic violence'. She said the provision in the Bill which
would prevent the military being used to "stop or restrict any lawful
protest" was inadequate as almost any protest can be deemed unlawful by
permission for the protest simply being withdrawn.

"The Greens are especially concerned about this move in light of
anticipated legitimate public protest at both the World Economic Forum and
the Olympics," said Ms Fitzsimons. "Under this legislation, once deployed,
the military would have a huge range of powers not normally available to
police.

"The new law allows them to shoot to kill civilians where they believe 'on
reasonable grounds' that this is necessary to prevent injury to another
person," she said.

"These powers include the right to search premises without a search warrant
and to detain people without arrest," she said. "I am particularly
concerned that this legislation is being shepherded in because of fears
about protest at looming controversial events but once it is introduced it
is there for good."

Ms Fitzsimons said she feared the use of the military could inflame or
aggravate small or peaceful demonstrations by ordinary people.

Ms Fitzsimons described the legislation as draconian and said she was
looking forward to supporting the Australian Greens' opposition to the bill
when she visits Australia next week.


Jeanette Fitzsimons MP: +64 4 470 6661
Jonathan Hill (press secretary): +64 4 470 6719, +64 21 110 1133 (cellphone)

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sent to Positive Futures by David.
(David MacClement) davd@ihug.co.nz 
http://www.emucities.com.au/member/davd/index.html
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