Investigation on peace activist must go public

Investigation on peace activist must go public - Greens

The arrest and deportation of visiting US peace activist, Scott Parkin is the most alarming infringement of civil and political rights in recent Australian history, Greens senator Bob Brown said today.

While welcoming the inquiry into Parkin's removal from Australia by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, Senator Brown said that the lid needs to be lifted on ASIO's role.

"The very fact that I was refused a briefing on Mr Parkin's arrest before his deportation tells me that ASIO and the government were on very unsure grounds.

"There is a cover up of factors behind Mr Parkin's arrest, and on the face of it, it was a political consideration not a security consideration. I expect that the Inspector General will want to talk with me in the course of his inquiry," Senator Brown said.

© Scoop Media