Natasha Stott Despoja (SA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

My question is addressed to Senator Ellison, Minister representing the Attorney-General. Is the government aware of recent criticisms that have been made by the president of the Law Council of Australia in relation to the US Military Commissions Act 2006? The press release says:

The law allows for admission of certain types of evidence, which may have been obtained by unacceptable methods of interrogation. It also strips away habeas corpus—the centuries old right of a detainee to challenge unjust imprisonment.

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… David Hicks may still be convicted on evidence which he is never allowed to see and which has been coerced, after prolonged interrogation, from witnesses he is never given the opportunity to cross-examine.

I ask the government if these conditions are acceptable to the Australian government and, given that David Hicks is currently being held without charge, why is the government not seeking his repatriation at this time?