Fed: Govt set for Senate showdown on ASIO laws
CANBERRA, Dec 5 AAP - The federal government is set for another showdown in the Senate,with Attorney-General Daryl Williams refusing to change new laws strengthening the powersof the national spy agency.
The controversial laws have been introduced as part of the response to the September11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
They give ASIO powers to detain people, including children, for questioning for upto a week even though they may not themselves be suspected of having committed a crime.
Detained people have no right to silence and restricted access to legal advice.
The legislation has been through three parliamentary inquiries, the latest reporting this week.
The Greens and the Australian Democrats both said the legislation should not be changed.
The Senate committee, including coalition senators, recommended 27 changes to the bill,the main one being to install retired judges to oversee the questioning process.
But Mr Williams was adamant that the government wanted the laws passed without significantamendment.
The Law Council urged the government to accept the recommended changes and make ita more fair and balanced measure to gain intelligence on possible terrorist activity.
AAP kjp/las/de
KEYWORD: ASIO DAYLEAD
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий