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Speeches to note: 2007 Law and Justice Address

Mon Nov 05 2007

The 2007 Law�and Justice Address was delivered by the Hon Sir Gerard Brennan AC KBE on 31 October 2007 at the Strangers' Dining Room, Parliament House. In that speech, Sir Gerard took aim at Australia's anti-terrorism laws, which he described as:�"Perhaps the most tendentious laws in force at present...for they trespass upon the basic notion of natural justice".�

Continuing a theme of his recent speeches, Sir Gerard questioned "whether these important laws give us both security and justice".

"Nobody doubts the need for laws conferring special powers enabling authorities to identify terrorists and potential terrorists and to neutralize any terrorist activity.� But do they work injustice to individuals?� Legislation empowering ASIO or the Federal Police to carry out surveillance, or to search and to seize property can be justified when there are reasonable grounds shown, provided such powers are precisely targeted on the detection and prevention of terror and the apprehension of terrorists.� But what of the power to compel submission to interrogation or the power to detain and interrogate without charge, or the power to charge, detain and submit to interrogation or the power of preventative detention?", he said.

View the full text of Sir Gerard's speech>

5 November 2007

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