Is it just me, or is anyone seriously concerned with the erosion of the separation of power principle... the political, the administrative and the judiciary.
Perhaps I should explain what I was getting at -Dignity all important ....yep critical, - likewise the gravity of the potential insult......
As for the typical aussie response (changing subject, off topic etc) - I recall once telling a bar manager that his establishment was one of the lousiest I'd ever been kicked out of
And if it were you or a loved one what was being held indefinately without charge and without contact with the outside world?
One of my dislikes is for cases to be tried out in the media rather than through legal system. By both sides. As soon as someone is taken into questioning regarding an extreme charge the media demands to know all the evidence immediately.
If Howard had ONE shred of decency he would sack Kevin Andrews. Im not holding my breath.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/30/1991369.htmThe AFP has been totally politicised, compromised and discredited
Maybe I have more faith in the system than others to get the right result.
Of the administrative (AFP), judicial and political arms, only one needs to make sure they look good in the eyes of the public... cause there is an election looming.
I would have more faith in the system if it was free from politcal interference. Heck, i'd have no problems with people being detained indefinitely as long as the appropriate checks and balances were in place to prevent abuse and manipulation.
I actually don't think the liberals have done anything wrong. I mean, their only job is to make sure they get re-elected.
You've taken the words out of my mouth, Duckman. Those who have suggested this episode has been simply created by John Howard are ignoring the initial event, i.e. the failed terror attempt in the UK. Presumably the AFP would have been advised by the UK police of some connection to Dr Haneef.Sure I'd hate it. But what if they were guilty.
Sure there were aspects of this case that stink but the outrageous cries of political manipulation smack simply of political self interest. If you support Labor - that's fine but don't do what you are accusing others of doing - just turning every national event into political pointscoring.
I went through Europe last year, and we have a reputation over there EVERY BIT AS BAD as South Africa during the Aparthied era.
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Having lived under both Apartheid South Africa (albeit at a young age) and Australia, I cannot agree that the two political regimes are in any way similar.
Now I have said my piece on the Haneef case and I am disappointed in the politicisation of the case, the lack of dislcosure required by the government in relation to terrorism and immigration cases and the brinkmanship of Ruddock and Andrews for political gain.
However there is no way you can compare modern day Australia to Apartheid South Africa. Points of differentiation:
1. freedom of press.
2. judicial review of police practices.
3. severe political and economic repression of up to 95% of the population by the wealthy minority.
4. legislative acceptance of extreme racial prejudice.
etc.
While there have been instances of police corruption and violence, these are not politically sponsored a la Steve Biko's terrible death at the hands of the South African police. We do not have death squads, indefinite detention for political views, manipulation of the press, an insidious guerrilla war with Angola, racially based 'apartheid' laws designed to keep the economic wealth out of the hands of a the deserving majority, along with a list of other outrages against civil, human, judicial and economic rights.
This is not to deny Australia's past which has been far from exemplary.
Having said that, this never ending focus on terrorist activity is wearing down my faith in the modern world. Nelson Mandela was deemed a terrorist by the Apartheid regime. Today he is lauded as a man of peace. One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. The list goes on - Michael Collins, Paul Revere, Aung Sang Suu Kyi, etc. I am in no way excusing the terrorist activities of the modern day. I think an attack on innocent people, whether in New York, Bali, Turkey, Madrid or Iraq, is a terrible way to gain political advantage at the cost of the hopes and dreams of countless individuals going about their every day activities. But I think this whole terrorist debate is mindless and would be better served if all parties looked at the desperation that is the cause of terrorism rather than just reacting to terror activities. But that is an idealists view of the modern world.
I love Australia. I believe it is one of the great nations on earth. But we have to set an example to the rest of the world and stand up for the democratic principles and civil rights.
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