Parliamentary reports backs watchdog for terror laws
A new parliamentary report looking at the first bundle of anti-terrorism laws, passed in 2002 following the September 11 attacks, has made a number of recommendations that aim to curb the most draconian aspects of the laws. The report, by the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence and Security, reached bi-partisan consensus on recommendations such as the need for an independent reviewer of the anti-terror laws. Walid Kadous, co-convenor of the Australian Muslim Civil Rights and Advocacy Network who made a submission to the committe and he discussed whether some parliamentarians appear to be turning against laws that impinge on key civil rights. Dr Patrick Emerton of Melbourne University also discussed concerns that the recommendations will not be implemented.