Fed: Greens call on AG's meeting to review anti-terrorism laws

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2009
Fed: Greens call on AG's meeting to review anti-terrorism laws

CANBERRA, April 16 AAP - The Australian Greens have called for the nation's suite of
anti-terrorism laws to be repealed.

The previous coalition government passed 44 pieces of anti-terrorism legislation following
al-Qaeda's deadly attacks in the US on September 11, 2001.

But Greens senator Scott Ludlam is calling on a meeting of state and federal attorneys-general
in Canberra on Thursday to discuss reviewing the controversial laws.

"These laws are draconian and obsolete," Senator Ludlam said in a statement.

"They need to be repealed immediately because they are inconsistent with our international
human rights obligations and compromise our democratic values.

"Government has a responsibility to deal with serious criminal behaviour but in doing
so, it should never compromise the rights and freedoms of its citizens."

AAP bsb/kms/bwl

KEYWORD: AG TERROR

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