Page 1 of 1
/&$% :WLI
19 Torrens St Braddon
ACT 1612 || GPO Box 1989
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone +61 2 6246 3788
Facsimilie +61 2 6248 0639
MR2309
8 September 2009
Independent Monitor of Anti-Terror Laws
Should be Implemented Swiftly
The Law Council has welcomed the release of a Senate report which
supports its calls for an independent person to review the nation’s anti-
terror laws.
The report, released yesterday by the Senate Finance and Public
Administration Legislation Committee into the National Security
Legislation Monitor Bill 2009, unequivocally affirms the need for a
dedicated role for an independent reviewer of Australia’s national security
legislation.
Law Council President John Corcoran said, “Since 2002, we have
been
calling for the Government to establish such a role.”
The Senate Committee report recommends several important
amendments to the Bill, which aim to strengthen the independence of the
role and improve transparency.
“The Law Council is particularly pleased to see recommendations that the
monitor should be able to initiate their own inquiries rather than being
reliant or referrals from the Prime Minister only, and that the monitor
should report to Parliament, not just the Prime Minister,”
Mr Corcoran
said.
Mr Corcoran also welcomed the recommendation by the Committee that
the Government actively and regularly assess the adequacy of the
resources and staff allocated to the monitor. “Unless the monitor has
sufficient resources, they will not be able to perform the role properly.”
He said the Law Council hoped
that the Government will accept the
Senate Committee’s recommendations, move to amend the Bill as
suggested and ensure its swift passage through Parliament.
“The Australian community has waited long enough for a mechanism for
ongoing, comprehensive and independent review of our national security
laws. It is now time for the Government to act,” Mr Corcoran concluded.
Media Contact:
Elenore Eriksson, Director Public Affairs
P. 02 6246 3716 || M. 0419 269 855
The Law Council of Australia exists to represent the legal
profession at the national level, to speak on behalf of its
constituent bodies on national issues, and to promote the
administration of justice, access to justice and general
improvement of the law.
NEWS 
