'Specific' terror threat against Australia: PM

[rooboy]

<snip>
Australian intelligence authorities have received specific information about a terrorist threat in Australia, Prime Minister John Howard says.

"The government has received specific intelligence and police information this week which gives cause for serious concern about a potential terrorist threat," he told reporters in Canberra.
</snip>

<snip>
Mr Howard said he could not comment further about the information he received and would not say whether the intelligence advice had come from Australian or other authorities.

As a result Mr Howard said part of the new anti-terror laws will be introduced to parliament today.

The Senate will also be recalled tomorrow to debate the bill.

Mr Howard said the government would rush its tough new anti-terrorism legislation through the House of Representatives tonight and the Senate would be recalled tomorrow to ensure it becomes law as soon as possible.

"After question time today, the attorney-general will introduce into the House an urgent amendment to the existing counter terrorism legislation," he said.
</snip>

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/specific-terror-threat-against-australia-pm/2005/11/02/1130823250648.html

[xultar]

1. hummmm some one check Rove's cell. I'm sure that fuckin birdy

was chirping long ass distance today.

[AlCzervik]

2. What the hell, now Howard is trying to get the media away from

covering Bush's lies again?

[punpirate]

3. This bill was bad to begin with...

... from what I've read. I wonder what this "urgent amendment" is all about. Keep us posted.

Australians would do well to review the means by which the government here rammed the Patriot Act down our throats....

Cheers.

[rooboy]

4. It literally means that up to about 80 people will be rounded up TODAY.

Under these provisions, they can put people on "preventative detention", and it can be kept secret. If a husband tells his wife that their son was taken away by the authorities, he faces SEVEN YEARS' JAIL.

This is a real live run of Hitler's 1933 Enabling Acts.

[highplainsdem]

5. THIS is what the rush is about -- growing opposition to the bill:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1888041


Howard's decided this has to be passed now, and so there's a fake terror threat. He hasn't overused the fake threats as much as Bush has, so this might impress some people Down Under, but I hope the opposition will be able to stop him anyway.

[rooboy]

6. The opposition has pledged it is ready to pass the legislation immediately

so much for the Australian people. We're totally fucked.

[highplainsdem]

7. Here's an AP story written just before the terror alert:

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asiapacific/detail.asp?ID=71267&GRP=C

Leaders delay Australia's unveiling of terror laws

2005/11/2

By Rod McGuirk CANBERRA, Australia, AP



Australian state leaders Tuesday held up the introduction of a raft of tough new counterterror laws in parliament, saying they had concerns the legislation threatened civil liberties and could breach the constitution.

The government needs the support of the eight states and territories -- all governed by the opposition Labor Party -- to enforce the new laws, which include jailing terror suspects without charge for up to two weeks and fitting them with electronic tracking devices.

Under the constitution, only state governments can allow suspects to be held longer than two days without charge.

State leaders in September gave unanimous support to a broad outline of the package but rejected an initial draft of the legislation and are currently considering a second draft. Among their concerns are that judges would authorize detention orders, a move critics say oversteps the role of the judiciary.

<snip>

What a coincidence that there'd suddenly be a threat requiring Howard to rush this through...

[PinkUnicorn]

8. Unfortunately

The leader of the opposition, Beasley, suffers from terminal cases of "spine removal syndrome" and "me too!-ism". Labour could crucify Howard six times over with the Iraq debacle, Tampa, Telstra, fraud, lying, the Free trade agreement, the IR bill....and yet they just sit there like stunned mullets wondering why people think they are a joke.

I wouldn't be surprised if some of Labour cross the floor over this bill, not to mention the questions raised about its constitutional legality, but even these probably wouldn't stop it being passed as the Lib will follow lock step with their illustrious De Fuhrer as always, and the 'me-toos' of Labour will push it enough.

[highplainsdem]

9. "Labor set to back terror-law rush." Link:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17115417%255E1702,00.html

[Blackthorn]

10. So specific he can't even tell us what state...

"It's real specific but I'm not going to say anything". Fuck off.

[PinkUnicorn]

12. This bit is amusing...

I like this bit...

"Prime Minister John Howard has refused to give details of the threat, saying the Australian public would never forgive him if he wrecked any police operation to stop it"

Brings to mind memories of the little saga between Bonsai Howard and Federal Commissioner Mick Keelty assessment of terroist threats doesn't it?

As for Beasley and Labour, a fair number of Labour pollies seem disaffected with his 'I wanna be a just like Johnny when I grow up' stance, which probably isn't helping the fractures threatening to split the party wide open.

[u4ic]

11. Welcome to DU PinkUnicorn!

:hi: