Governments Raw on Terror

New Government "Sneak & Peek" Powers in Australia

From ABC Radio National, BreakFast, 1st August, 2007 New Window

In the wake of the Dr Haneef debacle, the Australian Federal Police are set to benefit from unprecedented new 'sneak and peak' powers.

The new legislation will give the AFP and other security agencies the right to search the homes and computers of suspects without their knowledge and without judicial approval.

The bill also allows police to not tell people they have been under their surveillance for up to 18 months after the operation began.

But the new law will only apply to crimes which carry a 10 year sentence or more, despite recommendations it should be limited to much more serious offences -- including investigations into terrorism.

While the Labor Party is remaining coy on the new bill, Greens New Window Senator Kerry Nettle has vowed to strongly oppose it when it's tabled before the Senate next week, and she joins us now from Sydney.



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