Howard and Ruddock eroding our rights

John Howard had Australia join the US and the UK in fighting for democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan. Howard and Ruddock proclaim that by introducing various laws they are protecting Australians' way of life and keeping us from terrorist attack.

However, the reality is that our freedoms and democratic rights are not only being challenged by the Federal Governments' various new laws but our rights and freedoms curtailed. As Richard Ackland writes in the SMH:

"Like the three witches from Macbeth, Messrs Howard, Downer and Ruddock have been issuing prophetic and repetitive chants designed to lull and confound us. It goes like this: These are serious charges against David Hicks, citizen of Australia and Guantanamo Bay. David Hicks is to have a fair trial. We have always said we want David Hicks to be brought to trial speedily.

Hicks is the hobgoblin of the war on terrorism. He is meant to be terrorism itself, so properly understood the chants mean that it would be good if he was found guilty as quickly as possible."

Ackland's article reveals matters which should be of utmost concern to Australians. As the Federal Government increasingly infringes on our rights and liberties, the time has come to say STOP! - loudly and clearly. Read Ackland's article here.

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