New terrorism laws get balance right

The Queensland Parliament has unanimously supported new anti-terrorism laws that give police stronger powers to deal with potential threats while ensuring the people detained by Police retain their legal rights.

Premier Peter Beattie said the four amendments passed by Parliament today aimed to get the competing balances between protecting the community and protecting civil liberties right.

“The new laws improve our ability to protect Queenslanders from terrorist activities,” Mr Beattie said.

“Queensland was one of the first Australian jurisdictions to introduce preventative detention legislation in 2005.

“At the time I gave an undertaking that we would review our Act following the introduction of similar legislation in other Australian jurisdictions, to ensure that our legislation is as consistent as possible with that of other jurisdictions.

“That review has included extensive consultation with interested stakeholders including the Queensland Bar Association; Queensland Law Society; Queensland Council for Civil Liberties; Legal Aid Queensland; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland; and the Muslim Leaders Association.

“The new laws allow a police officer to search a person under preventative detention at the time they are taken into custody. This search can be done without a warrant and can involve the removal of clothing.

“Such a strip search would be allowed only if the officer suspects that the person is carrying an item that could cause loss of life or serious physical harm,” Mr Beattie said.

Other amendments:

·Allow unmonitored contact between a detained person and their lawyer –provided their lawyer holds a security clearance;

·Ensure detained persons have access to legal representation; and

·Exempt activities done or records created under the Act from Freedom of Information Laws.

Mr Beattie said the new amendments will significantly enhance police capability to prevent and respond to terrorist threats.

Media Contact: Premiers Office 3224 4500