The Australian Greens will defend the rights and freedoms of Australian citizens today, by supporting a review of the Howard government's anti-terrorism laws.

"When the former government pushed through a suite of anti-terrorism laws it failed to provide for review, to ensure the laws were working and not infringing on the rights and freedoms of Australians. Today the Greens want to remedy this," said the Greens Attorney Generals Spokesperson, Senator Scott Ludlam.

The Greens will support a Bill from Liberal Senator Judith Troeth, to ensure the forty pieces of legislation that were hastily passed in the years following the September 11 terrorist attacks, are subject to review.

"Establishing this review mechanism is the first step in assessing whether these laws have actually made us safer. When appointed, the Reviewer will be able to independently determine whether the laws are proportional to the threat, or whether they actually encroaching on the freedoms we are trying to protect," said Senator Ludlam.

"This review is an important safeguard and we will move a range of amendments to ensure this process is as accountable and independent as possible. However, this doesn't mean we should maintain the laws indefinitely. Some of these laws are quite draconian. They need to have a use-by date or be repealed immediately because they are inconsistent with our obligations under human rights instruments."

"Liberal MPs Petro Georgiou and Judith Troeth showed courage during the Howard years, raising a range of issues that the former Prime Minister was hostile to. Today, they're showing that courage again by working with the Greens to put this issue back on the agenda."

"The Labor party said they would support a review when in opposition, but nearly twelve months into government they've taken no action. "

"The Greens will continue to question whether we need laws such as these. We question whether they have made Australia a safer place and whether they are compatible with our nation's democratic values. We will continue to advocate for the civil and political rights of Australians," said Senator Ludlam.

For more information or media enquiries please call Robert Simms on 0417 174 302