Anti-Terrorism laws and the Human Rights Act

The counter-terrorism regime proposed by the Commonwealth government in September 2005 fueled debate about the potential impact of these new laws on human rights. This issue was particularly significant for the ACT, as the ACT Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Act 2006 was designed to be consistent with the Human Rights Act. The Federal Government threatened to override the ACT legislation to ensure consistency with the Commonwealth legislation, particularly in relation to the preventative detention of children.

This page contains a range of documents and media articles relevant to this issue.

Documents

Anti-Terrorism Legislation Community Survey, Roy Morgan Research, Commissioned by Amnesty International Australia, 10 August 2006

Working Paper 1. The ACTHRA and the Anti-Terrorism Act (No.2) 2005
Andrew Byrnes and Gabrielle McKinnon, April 2006

The Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Act 2006

Compatibility advice given by barrister Kate Eastman

Tabling Statement

Government respose to the Inquiry Report

Standing Committee on Legal Affairs Report on the Exposure draft

Our submission to the Inquiry into the ACT draft exposure bill

The Commonwealth Anti Terrorism Act (No 2) 2005

Our advice to Chief Minister Jon Stanhope on the early draft Commonwealth bill

Our submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Anti-Terrorism Bill (No 2) 2005

Other advice provided to the Chief Minister on the Commonwealth Anti-Terrorism Bill

• Kate Eastman further advice
• Lasry-Eastman advice
• Constitutional advice from Stephen Gageler, SC
• Human Rights Commissioner's initial advice on the COAG proposals
• Human Rights Commissioner's advice on the draft Commonwealth Bill
• Letter from Public Interest Advocacy Centre
• DPP advice on anti-terror laws
  

Media

Territory risks another Federal intervention, Canberra Times 30 July 2006

ACT willing to consider change to terrorism laws, Canberra Times 29 July 2006

Letters to the Editor (Dr Watchirs re ACT Anti-Terror laws), Canberra Times, 27 July 2006

ACT Anti-Terrorism Laws Adequate: Watchirs, ABC 26 July 2006

Youth Body fears erosion of rights, ABC, 26 July 2006

Commonwealth Standing Firm, Philip Ruddock, Canberra Times 26 July 2006

Ruddock unlikely to budge on terror laws, Canberra Times, 26 July 2006

Ruddock's attack on ACT laws hurts us all, Jon Stanhope, Canberra Times 25 July 2006

Stanhope right to stand his ground, Canberra Times, 25 July 2006

Ruddock threatens ACT Law Override, ABC, 24 July 2006

Doorstop interview with Philip Ruddock re ACT Terror Laws, 24 July 2006

Canberra 'vulnerable' to Terrorist Attack, AAP 24 July 2006

Stanhope stands by anti-terror legislation - Canberra Times, 2 February 2006

Canberra is target for terror: soft laws to blame - Ben Doherty, Canberra Times 1 February 2006

Law Society attacks ACT Terror Laws - Canberra Times, 25 January 2006

Exposure Draft of Anti Terrorism Laws released (Jon Stanhope Media Release 15 December 2005)

ACT Anti Terror Laws to Contain the Right Safeguards - Canberra Times 14 December 2005

Heavyweights Unite in Call for More Debate - Sydney Morning Herald, 25 October 2005

ACT's Populist Chief - Financial Review, 21 October 2005

ACT Told Terror Laws a Breach of Rights - Canberra Times, 20 October 2005

Experts Raise Concerns on Terrorism Bill - Financial Review, 20 October 2005

Howard is Poised to Allow Legal Safeguards - the Australian, 20 October 2005

Fraser Slams Anti-Terrorism Measures - The Age, 20 October, 2005

Anti Terrorism Laws Breach Rights: Report - The Examiner, 20 October 2005

Lateline, ABC (transcript), 19 October 2005

SBS World News (transcript), 19 October 2005

Scholars Give Verdict on Terror Laws (Jon Stanhope, Media Release, 19 October 2005)