Union concerned at new ASIO powers

Date: 03 December 2001

The National Secretary of the CFMEU John Maitland expressed concern today at proposals by the Federal Government to radically increase ASIO powers

The Government proposes to legislate to give ASIO the power to detain without charge and interrogate without the presence of legal representation Australian citizens suspected of having "terrorist links". The proposals would also allow ASIO to seize assets and records of Australian organisations.

Commenting on the proposals, John Maitland said he believed this proposal was a massive breach of civil rights and that there was great potential to misuse such laws.

"If laws like this were around 20 years ago the CFMEU for example could have been destroyed as an organisation and its leaders detained for financially supporting Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress, who John Howard himself used to call "terrorists".

Similarly the CFMEU has a strong record of support for the Palestinian people and for the republican cause in Ireland. Both Gerry Adams and Yasser Arafat were once 'terrorists' who in fact went on to win Nobel Peace prizes and be lauded at the White House as visionary leaders of their peoples.

The tragedy of September 11 cannot be cynically misused by reactionary politicians as a pretext for creating a police state."

For further information

Contact:	Phil Davey
Union:	CFMEU
Phone:	0414 867188

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