Fed: Democrats call for changes to defence bill

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2000
Fed: Democrats call for changes to defence bill

CANBERRA, Aug 21 AAP - The Australian Democrats today called for further debate and
amendment to the govenment's controversial legislation allowing use of defence forces
within Australia.

Australian Democrats defence spokeswoman Vicki Bourne said there was a need to update
the legislation allowing for callout of troops.

But the process so far had been far too rushed.

"The government has known that the Olympics were to be held in Sydney for seven years.

So why has it been left to the 11th hour to put this legislation before the parliament?"

she said in a statement.

Senator Bourne said the Constitution and the 1903 Defence Act allowed troops to be
called out to deal with domestic violence.

She said the Democrats acknowledged the need to codify the 1903 legislation but believed
further amendments were needed.

"We will move an amendment to add a sunset clause to the legislation," she said.

"That way the community will have the opportunity to fully discuss this legislation
and its ramifications. It is perfectly natural for people to think the worst when the
government has acted so irresponsibly."

Senator Bourne said the Democrats would also propose amendments requiring that state
premiers be consulted and that federal parliament be recalled once an order calling out
the troops had been made.

The legislation - the Defence Legislation Amendment (Aid to Civilian Authorities) Bill
2000 - passed through the House of Representatives without amendment on June 28.

A report by a Senate committee found the legislation generally acceptable, although
it proposed a number of changes, including a sunset clause.

Minority reports by the democrats and Greens Senator Bob Brown raised concerns about
the likely impact of the legislation.

The bill will need to be passed by the Senate during the next two sitting weeks if
it is to be in place for the Olympics.

The new laws would give the defence force the legal power to order troops on to the
streets in order to assist state and territory police where necessary.

AAP mb/hu/de -

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