Fed: Crean says govt's ASIO bill may pass by Christmas
CANBERRA, Dec 1 AAP - The government's counter-terrorism bill could be law this yeardespite Labor concerns over its coercive powers, Opposition Leader Simon Crean said today.
The ASIO Terrorism Bill was part of the government's response to the September 11 terroristattacks on the United States.
But concerns were raised about ASIO's proposed powers to detain people for long periods,deny them legal help for the first 48 hours, jail them for refusing to give informationand hold children as young as 14.
However Mr Crean said the bill could be passed by Christmas if constructive discussionswith the government continued.
"I think quite frankly we're not too far apart," he told Channel Ten.
"But Labor will not be compromising on circumstances which put people's civil libertiesunnecessarily at risk.
"What we've indicated to the government is the need for access to lawyers (and) we'vealso indicated the seven days indefinite (detention regime for non-suspects) is not appropriate.
"But I think these are issues we can find the balance on."
Under the seven day indefinite detention proposal a person may continue to be detainedafter seven days providing a warrant has been obtained.
The Senate committee examining amendments to the bill is expected to table its reporton Tuesday, a day before the bill is listed for debate.
Mr Crean also accused the government of being slow to act on domestic airport security.
Prime Minister John Howard said cabinet would tomorrow discuss plans to x-ray all luggageon domestic flights, as well as international flights.
"The question I ask (Mr Howard) is what did you look at 14 months ago after September11 and come to the conclusion that you didn't need the x-rays?" Mr Crean said.
"And if your Justice Minister (Chris Ellison) said in March there were real problemswith it, why has it taken until now to do something?" he said.
"The problem with this government is that it talks tough on the need to do somethingbut it never follows up on the details."
AAP jph/drp/sb e
KEYWORD: TERROR CREAN
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