Howard: return peace protester's visa, apologise

Howard must return peace protester's visa, apologize

Greens move for Senate inquiry and widening of Inspector-General's investigation

The Howard government had committed a gross injustice when it arrested and deported US peace campaigner Scott Parkin, Greens Senator Bob Brown said today.

"The ASIO presumption that Mr Parkin was going to advocate putting marbles under police horses is obviously fake. No Australian court would uphold this claim, which is in the category of false gossip. There has been only one crime - the Minister's removal of Mr Parkin's visa. The visa should be returned with an apology."

"The Greens will move for a Senate inquiry into the Parkin affair which has sent a shudder through Australians who value open and fair government which respects political rights."

Senator Brown will write to the Inspector-General of Intelligence agencies, Mr Carnell, asking him to investigate why he (Senator Brown)was denied a briefing on the reasons for Mr Parkin's arrest and the leaking of ASIO's claims against Mr Parkin to The Australian newspaper on Wednesday.

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