Dear friend,

It is rare to hear the phrase ‘war on terror’ these days – it seems the government is keen to eradicate the words from our national vocabulary. But my Greens Senate colleagues and I have been again confronted by the fact that Australia’s Howard-era terror laws are still alive and well.

A discussion paper on Australia's anti-terrorism laws was introduced to the Parliament last month – a paper that managed to use 448 pages to make no useful recommendations. It is only open for comment until this Friday, so the time is now!

Please make your voice heard on these terrible anti-terror laws.

Under the government’s proposed changes to the anti-terrorism laws, the Australian Federal Police would be permitted to enter premises without a warrant under circumstances that are not clearly defined.

This means you. The AFP could be knocking on your door, invading your civil liberties and treating you as a criminal, all in accordance with these laws.

Now is the time for a thorough and considered debate about methods for dealing with terrorism that are consistent with Australian democratic values and legitimate security needs. Some of the laws are so draconian that it is obvious they ought to be repealed.

You can have your say on the future of Australia's terror laws.

Australia has an important role in reformulating what a legitimate response to terrorism should look like. It is time to get the balance right.

It is Australians like you that will make the government sit up and listen. Now is the time to voice strong opposition to the further erosion of our civil liberties.

There are only a few days to ensure the Government hears what Australia wants to happen with these anti-terror laws.  Have your say now.

Sincerely,

Scott Ludlam
Australian Greens Justice spokesperson