'Change': Australia must follow Obama's lead
Blog Post | Blog of Scott Ludlam
Friday 23rd January 2009, 11:18am
by ScottLudlam in
In his historic inauguration speech, US President Barack Obama has signaled a new direction for Washington and the world.
For those of us appalled by the Bush administration's anti-democratic practices and disrespect for the principles of rule of law and natural justice, President Obama's words were music to our ears:
"We reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake."
The question is, will it lead to the repeal of excessive and dangerous legislation like the Patriot Act, which undermined the rights and privacy of US citizens in the name of fighting terrorism. It allowed for increased surveillance of citizens - tapping of phone calls, even police examination of library records.
Prime Minister Rudd faces the same question regarding the 40 pieces of anti-terrorism legislation hastily passed by the Howard government after the events of 11 September 2001 that encroach on the rights and freedoms of Australian citizens. Longstanding democratic and legal principles, including the right of judicial oversight, are undermined. Careless talk and bad ideas have become crimes in Australia, people can be found guilty of substantive offences because they are talked about, which is worrying in an open democracy. A number of subsequent studies have called attention to the urgent need for ongoing review of the terror laws.
When in opposition Labor promised a comprehensive review, but 14 months on it has not yet taken action. In 2008 the Greens supported a Bill initiated by Liberal backbenchers Judith Troeth and Gary Humphries - initially introduced by Petro Georgiou in 2007- to appoint an Independent Reviewer of the anti-terrorism laws.
The government is yet to say whether it will support the Bill in the House of Representatives but they opposed the bill in the Senate.
President Obama is correct when he describes the choice between safety and our ideals as false. It is possible to have a safe and secure country while respecting democratic rights and freedoms. It is time to abandon the false safety vs. rights dichotomy that so often dominates the debate about our response to terrorism.
If we sacrifice our democratic rights and freedoms in the name of security, then we sacrifice the very values we seek to protect. Restricting our civil liberties won't make the world a safer place. Let's instead focus on the factors that foster terrorism and extremism - racism, alienation and poverty. Only if we address these can we truly prevent terrorist acts in the future.
Rudd should follow Obama's lead and commit to a review of the anti-terrorism laws. The draconian laws of the Bush/Howard era have no place in our modern democracy. The world has changed and Australia must not be left behind.
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Change is the only constant
Change is the only constant thing in this world. Lots of politicians already took over the government and they have brought the country lots of change. Changing is not bad for as long as it is always to change for the better. Now that the country is facing economic crisis Pres. Obama promised to change this. That’s why he already comes up with a plan that is called American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. However, through my payday loan source, I found out that Republican leaders are not the only party that seems to disagree with President Barack Obama’s tax cut proposals. His fellows Democrats are none too keen on his economic plan. The new President of the United States unveiled his economic stimulus plan he calls the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. Democratic leaders have proclaimed their opposition, stating that the tax cuts outlined in the plan will not encourage spending. The stimulus checks that were sent out last year during the Bush Administration made little difference, and many argue that this plan will be just the same. Nonetheless, President Obama is determined to restore some good in the economy by also putting restrictions on some business tax breaks. Read this article to find out more about this political conflict on the payday loan blog at PersonalMoneyStore.com.
That's Nice
It would be very nice to see our laws reviewed. Even through the Bush years I've ever been envious of the 'states and the freedoms we're constantly reminded don't exist here.
I don't see Mr. Rudd doing much though. Maybe I haven't been reading the right news, but all I've seen his regime do thus far is fluff around. When do we get our revolutionary new PM?
Too true.
I agree Ash, I haven't seen Rudd do anything. Honestly, nothing.
Ok maybe getting rid of the workforce thingies which everyone has forgotten about.
Anyway, it's nice to see a website like this for a political group. Similar to what Obama had actually, so the members of the group can actually see what the public has to say. The two major political groups don't have anything of the sort.
Wonder why?.... Could it be because they don't listen to the people?
That's what I think will be good about Obama being president, he actually LISTENS!
OoooooBAMA!
Stars (and Stripes) in your eyes
The words of a speech are just that: Words.
Whether or not they are the genuine ambitions of the man will always be a question.
If they are his sincere wishes, whether the morally corrupt political systems in the U.S. of A. and elsewhere in the world will permit him to achieve them is altogether another matter.
A touch of realism in respect to human (mis) behaviour is needed amongst all this euphoria.
'Twas ever thus.
G'day Scott I don't think we
G'day Scott
I don't think we should follow anyone anywhere until we know if they can read a map or not.
Howard's anti terrorism laws were acknowledged by JH himself as draconian but necessary when tackling a barbaric threat that knows no boundaries of common decency.
I don't know about you but I haven't suffered by these laws and there have been a number of terrorist plots foiled in the USA, Britain, and here as well by implementing these types of laws when needed.
At this moment in 2009 in Australia, as a private citizen with no criminal record, I can be pulled over in my car by a policeman who can, acting only on suspicion, test me for drugs and alcohol and check my ID through my licence and registration by checking computer records. If I refuse to cooperate I can face charges.
These checks are considered necessary and condoned by society in general as an aid to public safety.
I see no difference in our existing AT laws as long as they are not abused and there is no evidence of that with, the possible exception of Haneef.
If that's the only hiccup with these laws, we're doing OK.
change? what change!
What a crock of crap. Israels brutal invasion of Gaza like its brutal invasion of Lebanon is all about smashing Palestinian resistance and opposition to its colonial policies in the West Bank (and Gaza). It will continue to to take take and keep taking Palestinian land for as long as it can. Obama and his Zionist offsiders are apparently in complete agreement. Not a shred of public criticism. Obama is wedded to the Bush policies of Israeli expansion and the emasculated PA under Abbas. Same old same old. Just like in Afghanistan - where he appears to think he can kill his way to victory.
Israeli brutality is one of the justification used by those who adopt terrorism. Obama has failed where he could have made a difference.
banana empire
A brain storming sesh last night came up with a fabulous business model to present to any desperately flailing lending body. "Guantanamo bay resort" A b&d theme park/ hotel where customers can experience the best that a decade or so of subservience to a blindsided conservative zeitgeist can offer.
Before we can seriously consider making policy and rule of law changes with a bias toward paternalism, human rights and respect for the individual and away from the obsession with absolute state control. Before responsive design in governance can command policy priority in front of those now standard reactionary responses which create an atmosphere where propaganda is the only effective means to placate a startled populace.
We should look at "deprogramming' the one eyed security droids which are now choking the inner workings of beaurocracy at huge expense to the public purse.
There are more would be security experts and wanna be spies, more patriotic xenophobes and bigots on the government payroll per head of capita than ever before. That behavioural/ cultural wall has to be dismantled and the new OziStassi in all its guises re educated with rewards for the cultivation of non paranoid fantasies to deal with mundane and messy reality.
Unfortunately absolute state control is just too seductive for most governments and their public services having to deal with a world headed rapidly into the realms of financial and environmental chaos.
I am hoping the "Guantanamo bay resort" will be a popular retreat for all those tasked with overseeing the absolute controls of the future banana empire. Strait jackets and lobotomies on the house.
Banana Empire
Shyt
I am sorry friend, but if you seriously believe what you have written above, you are going to have a miserable life, well at least for next 20 - 30 years or so.
Federal and State Governments have relied on the security agencies to monitor, and at times, control the radical elements, both within our society, and from outside our society for the past 60 years. The Governments govern for the majority, and as long as the majority want the Governments to have efficient, and effective security agencies to monitor / control radical elements of society, then the Governments will have them. (ASIS, ASIO, Criminal Intelligence Units, and the Intelligence units from each of the arms of the Defense Forces).
A good example may be the comprehensive monitoring of Anarchist groups, with data being provided to Federal and State police by security agencies at appropriate times to bring them under control.
Anyway, I suggest that you can look forward to security agencies being around in their current forms for at least the next 20 - 30 years.
Let's wait and see
While it must be fun to get all excited over the coming of the political messiah to the world, I suggest we wait and see what he (a) actually tries to do and (2) actually manages to do. He may be treated like an elected absolute monarch but in fact has a Congress to deal with, plus 50 states each with a couple of houses of parliament, billions in lobbyist money, trillions in corporations, and the serious prospect that the world won't want to fund continued US debt.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart did a nice sketch showing quotes from Obama and Bush. America's way of life and prosperity can't be given up, we won't give in to terrorists, we will restore America's greatness, etc.
I think Obama's an American Rudd. He'll give people warm fuzzies with his words and then deliver nothing. And of course doing nothing is an improvement on doing bad, as their predecessors did. But it is still not doing good.
Change my arse
What? Australia can't lead Australia. Don't feel safe anywhere but under the armpit of the U.S. You'll never change! And that goes for the U.S. too.
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