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| 'Psychological harm' in new terror laws | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 12 2009, 09:46 AM (42 Views) | |
| Sayf Udeen Ismaeel | Aug 12 2009, 09:46 AM Post #1 |
Icon by meagan_chelsea @ LJ
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]Attorney-General Robert McClelland proposes new terror offences TERRORISM will be redefined to include psychological as well as physical harm while hoaxers will face up to 10 years jail under proposed reforms to national security laws. Attorney-General Robert McClelland said the Federal Government remained committed to ensuring the focus continued to be on preventing terrorist attacks, not just waiting to punish those who would commit such heinous crimes after they occur. Mr McClelland said an effective legal framework was fundamental to the ability to address Australia's security. He told Parliament a 452-page national security legislation discussion paper proposed a range of reforms to existing legislation. That follows a series of reviews, including the Clarke inquiry into the wrongful arrest and detention of Gold Coast-based doctor Mohamed Haneef. Mr McClelland said it was proposed to expand the definition of a terrorist act in the Criminal Code to include psychological as well as physical harm. Police would gain new emergency powers to enter and search premises without a warrant where it was suspected there was material relevant to a terrorism offence and there was a threat to public health or safety. There will be a new terrorism hoax offence, punishable by up to 10 years' jail for anyone seeking to create a false belief that a terrorist act will occur. As foreshadowed last month, Mr McClelland said it was proposed there be an offence of inciting violence against an individual on the basis of race, religion, nationality, national origin or political opinion. Mr McClelland said a new Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement would be created to extend Parliamentary oversight to include the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Crime Commission. He said the Government had sought to address the concerns and issues raised in reviews of national security and counter-terrorism legislation to achieve the right balance between strong terror laws while preserving democratic rights. "Each and all of the measures .... are designed to give the Australian community confidence that our law enforcement and security agencies have the tools they need to fight terrorism, while ensuring these laws and powers are balanced by appropriate safeguards and are accountable in their operation," he said. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25919964-29277,00.html Edited by Sayf Udeen Ismaeel, Aug 12 2009, 09:46 AM.
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| Neo | Aug 12 2009, 02:50 PM Post #2 |
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I think there are a lot of loopholes to that law, but as a structure, it's not bad I guess. |
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12:01 PM Dec 2
