Australia's Terrorism Preventative Detention Bill

Greens reject preventative detention

The Terrorism Preventative Detention Bill is again before the Legislative Council.

The Greens oppose the Bill and will push for the following amendments:

• Preventative detention orders can only be made by the Supreme Court after examination of the merits of the case

• No preventative detention for children

• No orders by phone or radio

• Maintenance of professional legal privilege

• An explicit ban on the use of evidence obtained by torture.

"We don't need this new law. Anything that can be assessed as planning, financing and supporting terrorism acts is already a criminal offence." Ms Watson said.

"Further, recently enhanced police and ASIO powers have made it a lot easier for the police to gather the evidence required to lay charges, and then the case can be heard in proper court." Ms Watson said.

"Preventative detention is arbitrary detention and in my view a clear breach of human rights," she said.

The Government now hopes the Bill will pass before the winter break.

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