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"Not proportionate": Australian government urged to axe extraordinary terror powers amid low threat level (2023 Article)
[Meta description: The Australian government is under pressure to review its counter-terrorism powers as the threat level remains low. Learn more about the concerns surrounding these extraordinary measures.]
Australia – In the wake of a latest ASIO assessment revealing a decreased threat level, experts and critics alike are calling for the government to rethink its controversial counter-terrorism laws.
ASIO’s latest report has revealed a significant drop in the terror threat facing the country, with the agency concluding that the risk of a successful terrorist attack in Australia is now lower than at any point in the past five years. This development has sparked a heated debate over the necessity of the government’s existing terror powers, with many arguing that they are no longer proportionate to the actual threat.
The controversial measures, which were introduced in the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019, allow for the surveillance and monitoring of individuals deemed to be at risk of engaging in terrorist activities. Critics, including human rights groups and some opposition lawmakers, have long argued that these powers are overly broad and vulnerable to abuse.
"This is a watershed moment for Australia’s national security debate," said [Name], Director of the Australian Civil Liberties Organisation. "With the threat level significantly decreased, it’s time for the government to revisit these extraordinary powers and consider what’s truly necessary to keep us safe."
The government has yet to respond to the latest ASIO assessment and the calls for reform, but Prime Minister [Name] has repeatedly maintained that the existing powers are necessary to combat the evolving terror threat.
"While the threat level may have decreased, it’s important to remember that terrorist groups are constantly adapting and that our national security agencies must remain vigilant to protect our citizens," [Name] said in a statement.
The opposition, however, has seized on the latest ASIO report to pressure the government into reviewing its stance on the terror powers.
"It’s absurd that the government is still clinging to these extreme measures when the threat level is so low," said [Name], leader of the opposition. "It’s time for a more nuanced and evidence-based approach to national security, one that respects the rights and freedoms of all Australians."
Stay updated on the latest news and analysis surrounding Australia’s counter-terrorism efforts
Related articles:
- Australian terrorism threat level drops to lowest level in 5 years
- ASIO under fire for lack of transparency over terror powers
- The ethical implications of Australia’s counter-terrorism policies
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Government Urged to Axe Extraordinary Powers – The Guardian
The raising of the terror threat level by ASIO intrigued me this week.I knew I had read an article about the Human Rights Commission calling the government to repeal some of the powers they have accumulated in the decades since 2001.
In October last year, it was reported Labor wanted to extend those laws and powers three more years beyond the date they were due to cease at the end of last year, to a new end date in 2026.
The Human Rights Commission was asserting that this shouldn't be necessary, especially in light of ASIO lowering the threat level in 2023.
I couldn't find an article about the most recent ASIO threat assessment that mentioned anything about the Human Rights Commission asking for the extraordinary powers to be repealed, or Labor trying to extend them but coming up against opposition due to a lower threat level.
Not sure what to make of this, if there is a link it's impossible to prove of course, all I have to go on is this news article from the Guardian from October 2023, and all the latest articles about the increased threat from the same factors that were at play a year ago when ASIO lowered their assessment.
I'm also not a cooker, and wont just start making big claims about things I am unqualified and uninformed enough about. I just find it quite odd, but more so that no media coverage (that I've seen) has even mentioned the human rights implications of raising the threat level (i.e the continuation and justification of extraordinary governmental powers).
I will say though justifying to people that imprisonment without fair trial, mass surveillance, extrajudicial sentencing, anti-privacy, metadata retention and laws against peaceful protest is quite difficult when there isnt an imminent reason…
Thoughts?
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