Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Labor welcomes this important report by the Australian Law Reform Commission on Australia’s sedition law. Few would disagree with the words of Irene Carr, Secretary General of Amnesty International, when she said in Adelaide on 8 September 2004:

... we live in an unsafe, an unfair and an endangered world.

I do not question the fact that most humans wish for a better world, one that is safe and fair and not endangered. I accept that the threat of terrorism and community violence represents a serious threat to this wonderful, complex society that we in this parliament are fortunate to represent. I do, however, disagree with Mr Ruddock if he thinks that the new sedition laws enacted last year will help to ensure a safe and fair society. Labor supports laws that will help Australia combat the threat of terrorism and community violence. These laws, however, must not compromise the very freedoms they were intended to help protect. This is so fundamental to the democratic ideal. The President of the New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties has said that the new sedition laws are:

... the most dangerous threat to our democratic system in our history.

It is no wonder, then, that the Australian Law Reform Commission has labelled its review of sedition laws in Australia Fighting words: a review of sedition laws in Australia. Ruddock’s words show what he will do with the words of Australians.