Public forum on new terror laws

Thursday, 18 May 2006

Terrorism analyst and University of Adelaide academic Dr John Bruni will discuss Australia's new terrorism laws at a public forum next Wednesday night.

Hosted by Annie Hastwell from Radio Adelaide, the forum is being held as part of Law Week and will also include human rights lawyer Steve Kenny, Equal Opportunities Commissioner Linda Matthews and Law Society President Deej Eszenyi.

Cartoonists, academics, students, journalists, lawyers, judges and even the police union have all expressed concern over the government's revamping of national security laws to help fight the "War on Terror".

"Should we worry?" asks Ms Hastwell. "Are we edging towards McCarthyism or are the laws necessary for out safety in a post 9/11 world?"

"We wanted to give everyone the chance to have their say. There's a lot of concern over what the laws may mean. They haven't been tested and they're hard to understand.

"We're particularly keen to hear what younger people think. We believe the laws have the potential to affect everyone's civil liberties," Ms Hastwell says.

The forum will be held at TAFE SA, lecture theatre N210, 120 Currie Street, Adelaide, on Wednesday, May 24 from 6pm-7.30pm.

Limited seating is available and early bookings are advised. Please contact Angelina Edwards on (08) 8303 5000 or email angelina.edwards@adelaide.edu.au.

Radio Adelaide 101.5FM, the Law Foundation of South Australia and the Institute of Justice Studies Inc. have organised the forum.

Radio Adelaide is part of the University of Adelaide.
www.radio.Adelaide.edu.au

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