The process of transformation : Melbourne Indymedia

Citizens send an SOS for democracy

(Saturday December 17 2005)

The process of transformation from white Australia to multicultural Australia has not completely shaken off the racist attitudes of the nineteenth century which led to the elimination of White Australia policy in 1970s, in Australia. However, the policy of 'open for everybody' motivated the people of every race, religion and nationality to migrate to this land down under to enjoy the freedom of practicing their faith and culture. Large numbers of people migrated into Australia from Middle East, Africa, Turkey, Syria, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Today, Australia is a mixture of people from different backgrounds religiously and ethnically. In the 20 million people about 400 thousand are Muslims among them significant volume is of Arab and Turk (Muslim) Australians.

As the nation is still going through the process of unification as 'one Australia' - the Australian born generation of immigrants are still identified by their immigrant background. Disregard the 2nd generation of Asians, Arabs and Turks even the 3rd and 4th generation of Greeks, Italians and others are still identified by their immigrant background of their forefathers.

The process of integration and transforming the society into one nation is still not complete and in this process where the Australian government promotes and spends huge funds on promoting nationalism within the multicultural society, the politicians and leaders are also required to address everyone as an Australian.

Arab background Australians have been living in Australia for the last 4 decades. Their 3rd generation has been born & grown-up here who look no different than any other Australians. Yet, the Australian politicians including the Prime Minister always address them as the "Arab community". Muslims are the religious identification of the people of Islamic faith same as Christian, Jews, Hindu, Buddhist or anyone else live in Australian mix society, yet, the leaders including Prime Minister call them as the "Muslim Community".

However, should it be a matter to identify people on their ethnicity and then should religion be considered as an ethnic identity? When the police identifies suspect as "Lebanese Muslim" - does it means to identify others, for example, police would call them as Lebanese Christian or Lebanese Jew, Vietnamese Christian, Vietnamese Bhudist and so on.

These are the practices which are required to be resolved. An Arabic speaking can be a Muslim, Christian or Jew. It is absolutely a discriminating act to identify people on their faith. Stating religion as an ethnic background of any person, naturally, hurts thousands who believe in that religion.

The leaders take decisions with the vast vision taking into account the long term impacts on the country and the nation. Australian leadership also has to be extra prudent while making policy on Australia's relationship and engagements with the rest of the world.

In the times when even many developed nations were blamed for racial and religious discrimination Australia remain carried the reputation of being a non-political non-violent and a nation of different colours.

During Sydney Olympic 2000 Australia received highest reputation being the supreme sports-loving nation in the world. Nevertheless, Australia will continue to enjoy this reputation in the world as long as it would carry its neutral part in the world politics.

One can hardly disagree with the fact that Australia cannot afford to have enmity with any country especially with the Muslim world. Australia's next door neighbour, Indonesia, is the largest Islamic nation. On the other hand, Australia has never been targeted by the radical Islamic groups until recent time when Howard's government, one after the other, from the issue of Tampa refugees (in 2001), the plight of refugees at the detention centres where majority are Afghanis and Middle Eastern and supporting US's war on terror and sending Australian forces to Afghanistan and Iraq ignoring the will of the majority of Australians.

Certainly, there is no apparent link between the reasons of the recent racial violence and the Howard's government decision to support US's war in Afghanistan and Iraq on the name of 'War on Terror'. Nevertheless, the ongoing inflicted media reporting the bloody images of torture and killing either by terrorists or allied forces in action, for the last four years, have generated negative perception among both those who either ethnically related to the victims or those who consider themselves the only true Australians in this diversified society.

The Arab background Australian deeply and wordlessly are feeling that Australian troops are fighting against their brothers in Iraq. On the other hand, Anglo Saxon Australians are absorbing the impression that Australian troops are fighting against terrorists who are obviously Arabs and Muslims.

At least during my 20 years in Australia I never saw the incited ethnic violence that has shocked the majority in Australia few days ago. The recent incidents of racial violence, fighting, damaging public properties and putting the places of worship on fire in Sydney suburbs have exposed Australia very adversely in the international media.

In the recent Cronulla beach incidents the youth of Anglo-Saxon background Australian were raising the Australian flag in one hand and attacking tools in the other hand and chanting "ozi ozi oy oy". They painted slogans on their shirts "We grew here you flew here", "ethnic cleansing", "no multiculturalism" etc and behaved as though they are going to fight against aliens. On the other hand the group of Arab background Australian youth were calling themselves as "lions of Lebanon" as though they are still living in the country from where their parents or grand parents came from.

This behaviour of Australian youth clearly indicates that they have been getting what we have been feeding them. This dangerous attitude and divided thoughts in Australian youth can be a critical message for the Australian leadership.

No doubt, Australian government agencies like NSW Community Relations Commission and Australian Immigration & Multicultural Affairs are doing beneficial job with deep interest and sincerity. However, more is needed on priority basis.

This is the time when Howard's government is legislating strong anti-terror and sedition laws on the name of protecting Australia from terrorists and terrorist activities; his government must also attempt extra ordinary efforts to provide people of all backgrounds a definite security of their social rights.

Australia is among only those few countries in the world who don't have a Bill of Rights'. It is time now that Australian leadership should initiate steps to introduce the 'Bill of Rights' in Australia' to legislatively protect the basic rights of every citizen indiscriminately. Recognising and protecting basic human rights of all Australians by legislation would mean that one could expect the reasons for those decisions to be given and that wrong decisions could be challenged in the courts.

It would simply be setting agreed standards and providing an ethical framework for consistent decision-making where citizens' rights are affected. This will provide a fair balance between the rights of individuals and the rights of the society.

http://usa.mediamonitors.net/content/view/full/24029

The new police powers

New police powers passed on 15 December 2005 gives more power to the state. When will it end ?

New powers given to NSW police
By Dale Mills

The NSW Labor Government introduced new police power laws on the 15 December 2005 in a specially convened sitting of Parliament, in response to public disorder starting with the race riots by white gangs last weekend at Cronulla beach, in Sydney. The Law Enforcement Legislation Amendment (Public Safety) Bill 2005 was introduced, passed and received the Royal Assent on the same day. It is now law.

This article highlights some of the more significant parts of the new law, including those parts which can be used in protest situations.

The Explanatory Notes to the Bill (prepared by Parliamentary staff) says that the Bill's object is to deal with large-scale public disorder. It says that public disorder is a civil disturbance, including riot, that gives rise to a serious risk to public safety.

Lockdown areas and 'special police powers'

The new laws give 'special police powers' for targeted areas to be locked down.'

These provisions are similar to the ones already available to the police under the Terrorism (Police Powers) Act, except that a perceived threat of terrorism need not be present.

The new laws provide special powers to the police, including authorising an area as a 'targeted area'. A targeted area can be any size, such as Cronulla, Auburn or all of Sydney. Within a targeted area, police have the power to cordon off a specific area, set up road blocks and to stop cars and pedestrians from entering the target area.

People caught within the target area may be searched, including their cars and anything within a person's possession or control. They may be legally compelled to give their names and to provide proof of their names.

Not only can people be prevented from entering a targeted area, they may also be prevented from leaving a targeted area. The police may prevent a person from leaving a targeted area 'if it is reasonably necessary to do so to avoid a risk to public safety or to the person's own safety.'

The locked down area may be cordoned off or road blocked for 2 days by the police, and without reference to a Court.

If, for example, a protest against the war in Iraq satisfied the conditions in the Act, a targeted area could be declared, and everyone in the protest could be detained, their names taken and their mobile phones seized, personally searched, and prevented from leaving the cordoned off area where 'it is reasonably necessary to do so to avoid a risk to public safety or to the person's own safety.' Protesters could be so detained for 2 days, longer with a Court order.

New offences: increased penalties

Assault: a new offence has been made of assaulting someone when it happens in connection with large-scale public disorder - the maximum period is 5 years imprisonment, as compared to ordinary assault, where it is 2 years. If the assault occasions actual bodily harm, the maximum penalty is 7 years imprisonment.

Affray is already a public order offence, but the maximum penalty is increased from 5 years imprisonment to 10 years imprisonment.

Affray is where a person 'uses or threatens unlawful violence towards another and whose conduct is such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his or her personal safety.' The new maximum penalty applies across the board. There is no need for the affray to occur only during serious public disorder.

A punch-up outside a pub could easily come into this definition. Such a punch-up would be affray because it involves one person using or threatening to use 'unlawful violence towards another' and where a hypothetical bystander feared for his or her personal safety. One could easily imagine this happening between a protester and a police officer at an aggressively policed demonstration.

The offence is easier to commit than at first appears, as no actual person need be present, just a hypothetical person who, if such a person had been present, would fear for his or her safety. Moreover, it can be committed in private as well as in public.

Although a punch-up outside a pub or similar level of violence is a serious offence, 10 years imprisonment is an excessively harsh maximum punishment. No doubt, police prosecutor will ask for the maximum penalty to be imposed when affray occurs at political protests.

The offence of riot also has its maximum penalty increased. Riot is essentially the same offence as affray, instead it involves 12 or more people rather than just two or three. The maximum offence for this is being increased to 15 years imprisonment. Again, it is not hard to see how this could be applied to the policing of protests.

Bail

If charged, the presumption of bail under the Bail Act 1978 is changed so that there is a presumption against bail for the offence of riot or any other offence punishable by imprisonment for 2 years or more that is committed in the course of the accused participating in a large-scale public disorder. Protesters who are later acquitted of any offence, may spend weeks or months in prison waiting for trial, if they are selected by police for being charged.

Liquor restrictions

The new laws with perhaps the least effect on protesting are those which allow police to order the emergency closure of particular pubs or clubs in an area if it will reasonably assist in preventing or controlling large-scale public disorder. Additionally, the police can declare a whole area or suburb an 'an emergency alcohol-free zone' to assist in preventing or controlling a large-scale public disorder.

Examples of where this might be used in protest situations include street parties held by Reclaim the Streets. Parties often have people playing music and consuming alcohol. However, where the police believe that banning alcohol will assist in the prevention of large scale public disorder, they have the power to ban alcohol.

These laws are just the most recent which have been passed by State and Federal Parliaments in the last few years under the shadow of terrorism and, now, public disorder. More laws like these will be passed, and more, till ordinary people show that they are not prepared to live in what is increasingly becoming a police state.

Note:

A copy of the new legislation which came into force on 15 December 2005, the Law Enforcement Legislation Amendment (Public Safety) Act 2005 can be found at

http://tinyurl.com/9elqn

The Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002 (NSW) can be found at
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/tpa2002291

The definitions of riot and affray are in the Crimes Act 1901 (NSW)
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ca190082

=====================
2. Two new Terrorlaws pages
=====================

Project SafeCom website
18 December 2005

Terrorlaw speeches by Bob Brown and John Faulkner

"...it is very important that people looking back on this moment know that the opposition caved in, to a government with a one-seat majority, to taking away Australians' rights without any return defined in terms of security and to eroding those rights - the right to free speech and the right not to be held without charge, trial or the ability to have a defence."

http://www.safecom.org.au/faulkner-brown-terror.htm

Warning: this page may contain seditious writings

Read the information on this page by all means - but if you do, you may be charged with sedition under Australian law. You may even be charged by association - and you may not be told when you get arrested why you have been arrested.

http://www.safecom.org.au/seditious.htm

Project SafeCom website message
Received 11 December 2005

I am a fourth generation Australian, a returned serviceman, white, and today I felt sick at heart at what my country has become. I was so proud of this country now I am so ashamed.

A hot bed of racism, intolerance, oppressive laws, unjust wars, denigration of other Australians of a different background. A government hell-bent on dividing other Australians because they appear different.

I have Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Buddhist, Taoist friends. They are all the same to me no matter what the background.

The fat-bellied slobs who organised today's riots are not representive of this country. At least I hope not.

Wal L Ives
wiv-@bigpond.net.au

Citizens send an SOS for democracy

I could not find any other way to contact my Fellow Australians.

SOS stands variously for 'Silence Or Sedition', 'Support Our Society' or 'Security or Subjugation'.

"We call it SOS and it's a call for help," said RAR co-founder Susan Varga.

"The body in distress is our society, it is our democracy and no-one can come to its assistance but its own people."

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2005/12/102097.php

===============================
10. Report of Bowral anti-terrorism meeting
===============================

Thursday, 15 December 2005

Dear S.O.S. Supporters,

The inaugural meeting of SOS in Bowral on the 6th December was a remarkable event, well received by the local community and extensively reported in the local press and by the ABC's Bush Telegraph.

The twin themes of the meeting were the anti-terrorism laws and the silencing of the not-for-profit sector. David Bernie, Vice President of the Council of Civil Liberties stressed that the anti-terrorist laws are not so much about terrorism as about the suppression of dissent. The laws passed in the Senate that night, will repeal rights that date from the Magna Carta.

He said: "People who have not committed an offence or are not suspected of committing an offence can now be subjected to controls which are normally reserved for convicted criminals. It's a major step away from the idea that when you are arrested your must be arrested on reasonable suspicion that you've committed a breach of law, that you will be charged and have th opportunity of answering the charge against you.

"The anti-terror laws would allow terror suspects to be held without being informed of the charges against them and prevent them from notifying family members of their whereabouts. For the first time in Australian history, we will have secretive detention and it is a real tragedy".

Joan Staples, a visiting fellow at the University of NSW spoke on a related topic - the de-funding and progressive silencing of the non-government sector, so that the alternative voices to Government views and policies are no longer heard.

There has been a massive loss of funding for organisations speaking out against the Govt, the widespread signing of confidentiality clauses that muzzle dissent, and contracts with Govt's that oblige an NGO to carry out the Gov's agenda.

There is increased Govt money going to large private contractors and a number of think tanks that consistently oppose the role of NGO's. The prevalent view, Ms Staples said, is that only elected governments are entitled to speak.

The meeting passed several motions, including the following:

* That we endorse the letter published by the Law Council of Australia in the Sydney Morning Herald of 5/12/2005

* That future meetings canvass options for civil disobedience.

* That SOS endorse the call for a Bill of Rights

* That the Federal Government ensure that the anti -terrorism legislation already passed goes to the Law Reform Commission for review as a matter of urgency

* That we call on the Federal Government to convene the relevant joint parliamentary committee to review this legislation and in particular the impact of this legislation by the end of 2006, and to undertake to conduct such reviews on a two-yearly basis.

* That SOS give educational talks to schools, particularly to 16-18 year olds who will be voting in the next couple of years.

More than 120 people signed an open letter to the PM protesting the anti-terrorist laws, which was published in the Southern Highlands News on 14/12/05.

ACTIONS:

People have been asked to put pressure on politicians and keep the debate going wherever possible.

Spreading the word about SOS and joining our contact list

Supporting other organisations springing up to fight the anti-terrorism laws

NEXT MEETING: Thursday March 30th

This meeting will address the industrial relations legislation as well as the anti-terrorism legislation. Tentative speakers: Frank Brennan and Professor Ron MacCallum.

The SOS website to be launched at this meeting.

If you would like a copy of the SOS Fact Sheet, please email ack-@hinet.net,au

Susan Varga

Related:

When the sands ran red

Many Australians feel Howard is ignoring the problem. Others say his narrow response shows how well he has read Australia's mood. But by not condemning the racism, Howard and Labor leader Kim Beazley have both arguably failed to show moral leadership.

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2005/12/102016.php

ousands march against racism

"You can't be under the influence of alcohol and paint your massive banners with racial slogans on them or you can't make t-shirts while you're drunk so it can't be accepted as an excuse."

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9780

'Melbourne' Anti-Racism - Friday

Masses of Melbournians unite to demonstrate as a response to Racism and the Terror War.

http://sydney.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=62646&group=webcast

Laws against Muslim scapegoating

John Howard is not responsible to lead this country which has caused the bigoted violence as Sydney braces for the prospect of another fiery weekend.

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9775

Sydney beaches unsafe

Those who ignore the advice will have their cars searched at checkpoints and will be turned away by police, unless they have a valid reason for going into the areas.

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9773

Melbourne protesters march against racism

"It's not only that political leaders lack the will it is because they're winding the rest of Australia up and are making people hate Muslims by insinuating that they are all terrorists."

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9771

Racial violence continues in Sydney As Australian media covers up Howard's role

At Maroubra Beach, 300 young men associated with the "Bra Boys" gang and armed with crowbars and cricket bats gathered for a prearranged fight. Journalists had to flee the area after being threatened and spat on, and rocks and flares were thrown at police. Police found a replica pistol on the beach, and seized 30 molotov cocktails and crates of rocks in South Maroubra.

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9744

HoWARd's Muslim scapegoat captives ask for mercy!

So the only difference here is that these men are being used as scapegoats by ASIO via john hoWARd to wipe their arse on, anytime they feel like it, based on what this group allegedly said in a private conversation. Shame hoWARd shame on you!

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9767

Many groups are calling for a demonstration against racism

The National Union of Students said: "Racism from some of the media and political leaders have whipped up fear and anger to lead to the disgraceful violence at Cronulla. This rally wants to show that people are fed up with this racist violence and that enough is enough."

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9761

Military plan will rob the community of its social fabric

But why would any person make a decision to take away from the social fabric, workers, and desperate, disadvantaged, disabled and mentally ill people and plough that money into military hardware to kill people? Where is the logic in that? Especially for an illegal and degrading war like Iraq.

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9759

Australian state government prepares savage attack on democratic rights

Likewise, in the wake of the racial violence, there will be no public discussion or even the semblance of a parliamentary debate on Iemma's new legislation today. Having created the social and political climate that has led to the clashes in Sydney, the political establishment is rushing to exploit the situation to further its own right-wing "law and order" agenda.

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9748

Government and media provocations spark racist violence on Sydney beaches

Both the Liberals and the Laborites are committed to implementing deeply unpopular right-wing economic reforms--exacerbating social inequality, eliminating job security, and driving down wages and living conditions. The two parties seek to deflect opposition to their agenda by fomenting racial divisions in order to channel the insecurity and disaffection felt by millions of ordinary people into deeply reactionary channels. At the most fundamental level, that is what caused Sunday's events.

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9723

Race Riot Nationalists spread to third Sydney suburb

The latest violence comes after a racially motivated pro-government right wing Nationalist media taking John HoWARd's lead, ended up in a riot at Cronulla Beach which saw several people of Middle Eastern appearance attacked. Shame HoWARd....Shame on you!

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9717

Cronulla race riot

The lifesavers asked for it!
The Mainscream Media asked for it!
The Police asked for it!
Then the community decided it was ok to be racist!

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9715

Australian treasurer steps up ideological offensive against welfare recipients

The treasurer's comment piece was released shortly before the Senate passed the Howard government's "Welfare to Work" Bill on November 6. The new legislation will slash welfare payments for thousands of new claimants, and force single parents and the disabled into low-wage jobs. By driving down the living conditions of some of the most vulnerable members of the community, the government intends to create an enlarged pool of cheap labour available for exploitation.

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9710

International Human Rights Day

One of the events for International Human Rights Day in Melbourne was a rally outside the State Library attended by about 100 people on Saturday December 10. Issues canvassed by speakers included opposition to mandatory detention of asylum seekers, treatment of indigenous Australians, opposition to the "anti-terror" laws, and scapegoating of the muslim community.

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9714