Counter-terrorism legislation to end counter-terrorism legislation debate : Melbourne Indymedia

An agreement on new counter-terrorism measures by the Australian Commonwealth and state and territory governments will see totalitarian instruments of control and detention introduced across the country in order to better handle 'extremist' elements and prevent violence against the State.

It is anticipated the laws could also prove useful in future in suppressing future dissent arising from the abuse of the new powers by corrupt intelligence and law enforcement officials and a paranoid, brutal and power-drunk Government

But by the Government's enthusiasm for the new legislation, one could be forgiven for thinking the various Ministers of the Commonwealth imagine they will themselves be protected by it. Perhaps little Johnny Howard has forgotten that he and his cronies sitting high in their high castle are themselves active participants in acts of bloody carnage and military adventures overseas, and as mass murderers and the purveyors of fear are by definition exempt from terrorist attack.

Sometimes it seems as though little Johnny is reluctant to step out from behind the broad shoulders and comforting bulk of the public - the citizenry - and take responsibility for murder and deceit for which he and his Government - not 'Australians' - are culpable.

Confusion on this issue surely endangers the public. It would seem that any Government worth its salt, or with a modicum of moral turpitude, or concern for the population at large would be at pains to distinguish itself clearly from the general public as the agents of violence, fear, and hatred in order to avoid any unnecessary harm to the Australian people.

It occurs that making it clear at this juncture that it is the Government and not the people that has in recent years commissioned the murder and deportation and incarceration of innocents might redirect the attentions of Howard's fiercest opponents away from those who can be considered the innocent victims of terrorism