Dr Haneef’s crime
Terrorism laws - - Posted on July, 20 at 1:57 pm by Ken L
OK this now seems to be the story of Dr Haneef:
- He has relatives, one of whom committed a terrorist act in Glasgow
- Contrary to what the AFP told a magistrate, he never lived with this relative
- When he left the UK in 2006, he gave a SIM card to another relative
- When the UK police investigated the Glasgow incident, they interviewed this second relative and found Dr Haneef’s SIM card … not in the Jeep at Glasgow, as was earlier reported.
The AFP immediately detained Dr Haneef, allocated 300 people to an investigation, soon ran out of things to ask him, and after two weeks charged him with recklessly supporting a terrorist organisation. From what we know, this ’support’ consisted of giving a SIM card to a cousin who a year later was charged with the offence of receiving a text message and not telling the police about it immediately.
If that is the nature of the case, it is staggering that Dr Haneef was even charged. It is, however, consistent with the magistrate granting bail with such a nominal surety - and even that was based on information detrimental to the doctor that now appears to have been wrong.
Kevin Andrews and Philip Ruddock claim to have additional information that is too secret to tell the courts, let alone the public, which justifies Dr Haneef being publicly branded a person of bad character who deserves to be deported as soon as the court case against him has been dealt with … if and when that ever happens. Ruddock has seen fit to call Haneef’s lawyer unethical, and to foreshadow attempts to string out the case against Haneef, using the breathtakingly hypocritical excuse of ensuring a fair trial.
By Christ the secret information had better be good, or this will go down in history as an act of incompetent, cynically political ministerial bastardry that defies belief. And already the ministers are spinning their usual gutless defence … nothing to do with us, it’s the AFP/DPP/courts, we know nothing, all out of our hands. Fucking spineless worms. Will Howard or any of his second-rate shysters ever accept that they are accountable for anything, apart from their inane gloating about Teh Economy?
Remember when the attendees at an indigenous conference turned their backs on Howard? I’ve often thought what a powerful act it was. I hope whenever Andrews or Ruddock appears at a public forum in future, the audience stands and turns its back until the speaker pisses off and the foul air is fit again for normal folk to breathe.
Posted in Terrorism laws |
July 20th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
It is time to review the Commonwealth Migration Act 1958 in the light of this case.
HD too, Ken, for the summary of developments.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Great summary, Ken.
At the very least Ruddock and Andrews should resign over this travesty.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
“Kevin Andrews and Philip Ruddock claim to have additional information that is too secret to tell the courts, let alone the public”
I’m sorry for being cynical, but I do remember WMDs and the UN. Surely they remember this too.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
“…or this will go down in history as an act of incompetent, cynically political ministerial bastardry that defies belief.”
I think that that, sadly, is the more probable.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Unfortunately, the latest polls show that this is working in the governments favour
July 20th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
+1, Ken. There is nothing, quite literally nothing, these people will not do or say if they think it will help keep them in office. Remember that a generation back they happily trashed the constitution to get back in office, and then remember that the current crowd are much, much less burdened with scruples than were Fraser, Lynch, Anthony & co.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
I am the classic left-wing lawyer, and I can say in all seriousness that I am more furious about this than any other act of Howard et al over the last decade.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
What polls joni?
July 20th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
My heart just sinks at the depths to which this corrupt cabal have brought us. Thanks for the summary of developments, Ken
July 20th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Ken, thanks go to you for pointing out, on when seems way back now, how you smelt a rat (Rodent) on this whole sorry mess. I’m a pretty tough bloke, cause of the way I make a living, but that photo of the Doctor moved me.So, please keep up your good work. Lang.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
The Morgan Poll (taken over the last two weekends) shows a big jump in the Coalition’s primary vote and Morgan attributes that mainly to Haleef and the national security scare. Another Tampa on a smaller scale! I share the concerns about the misinformation being spread - but alas do the voters care?
July 20th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Well done Ken. This smelt from the outset.
Hey, where are the trolls? Notice how they are all keen to condemn someone solely on the basis of an arrest. Always so sure of guilt. Hanging’s too good for them, etc. Never once have I seen one of them come back and say “Whoops, my bad”. But don’t worry, on the next issue they’ll still be right.
July 20th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Yes, the jump in Coalition support is worrying, but I’d raise two points.
1) There’s still a decent buffer there.
2) The full extent of the shonkiness of the case and the ministerial bastardry that’s accompanied it have only really come to light since the weekend.
I can see things sliding again when it sinks in that you can be held responsible for the actions of pretty much anyone you’ve ever met/done a favour for.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Just when you think the bastards can’t sink any lower, they manage the seemingly impossible. And Ruddock still rejoices in the risible title ‘first law officer’.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Well at the risk of resurrecting a disagreement on the previous Haneef thread, I can’t see it sinking in unless somebody gets out and argues the case in a robust fashion instead of meekly agreeing that the government seems to be doing a first-class job.
The latest comment on the Labor web site was two days ago:
Somehow I can’t see that driving home the message to the voters.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Now the SMHerald is getting into the innuendo business:
Where the hell did that notion come from? Did a journo exercise a bit of poetic licence or is someone in the AFP doing a bit more judicious leaking? If they suspect Haneef had prior knowledge of the bomb plot let’s hear the evidence on which they base their suspicions. Or do they just want to let the allegation float around to found another urban myth, in the hope people will overlook the absurdities of the charge actually before the court?
July 20th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
If you didn’t just listen to PM on Radio National, I urge you to listen to the repeat coming up on Local ABC Radio.
This is easily the most serious attack on the rule of law since the Howard Government came to power.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Ken, I just saw the photo of Haneef on the SMH website captioned, “Picture shows a prisoner, believed to be suspected terrorist Mohamed Haneef, being driven out of the Brisbane watchhouse in a police vehicle.”
“Suspected terrorist”?? Even Andrews isn’t suggesting that.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
As for the polling, individual polls say very little. only when it can be translated into a bit of a trend the issues become meaningful, otherwise they are simply lost in the noise of the stats.
The Newspoll coming out this next Tue will be a bit more telling, including the talk of leadership troubles between hoWARd and the Tip-No-Iceberg wannabe, as well as the current developments about Dr. Haneef.
Check what Crickey had to say about today’s polling numbers here: http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20070720-Some-good-news-for-the-government-for-now-Morgan-Poll-gap-narrows.html
July 20th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Fair point Ken, but with the entire legal profession/civil rights lobby going in to bat against the government on this one, do they have to?
I think (hope?) it’s possible that the punters will notice that the GOVERNMENT have acted like a pack of bastards on this one and illustrated that pretty much ANYONE can be locked up quite legally should it suit the executive.
All the ALP have to do is avoid the wedge by not openly engaging the government, whilst also refraining from trumpeting their support from the rooftops. And whilst there’s been a depressing lack of condemnation, the support’s been pretty qualified and muted as well. Or did I miss something?
Politically I think they’re making the right moves. Ethically it’s doubtful. Well, it’s sh*thouse actually. But I’m broadly in agreement with the position AB so eloquently argues in another post.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Thanks for all the info on this case. If you read http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22101959-2,00.html
after you have read the transcript one could easily come to the conclusion that the AFP were trying to stitch the guy up. Is there any other conclusion? Is that why Keelty is quiet?
July 20th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Ken, in this instance I don’t think their behaviour is spineless. It’s far worse. Howard, Ruddock, Andrews and co are in this outrage up to their eyeballs. Their line that it’s all the business of the AFP and DPP is a lie, and we all know it. Even if we did accept it, the decision to cancel his visa and put him in detention is certainly all the Government’s own work, and one they could rectify immediately. Yet Andrews has already put to bed any possibility that he will do so. What a surprise.
July 20th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
I know this is a silly bloody question, but would not the Doctor have pissed of prior to the event?if he is alleged to be so involved?.
July 20th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Not a silly question at all LM but I couldn’t possibly answer it, your security clearance isn’t high enough.
July 20th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
As for the ALP’s reaction on this: still piss weak!
AGAIN!
But is there some hope for anything different? Just maybe.
I actually quite liked what Peter Beatty had to say about it on the radio a little while ago. Something to the effect (sorry no links yet): the fed gov and the AFP has stuffed it up, they’re behaving like bullies and better be able to back it up…
Now, that’s the kind of line the ALP needs to run, while questioning the abilities of the minister and Att Gen cadaver. In fact it’d be quite easy to make an argument about their arrogance, being too long in power and question if this is another “emergency” just like the “Aboriginal emergency” with an eye to the election more than the issues.
I’m actualy glad it is Beatty doing the questioning, since the Qld. police have been disgusting and over the top also. Plus I don’t trust Dudd nor his minions to do it competently without shooting themselves in the foot.
While Beatty can be a wimp and a sellout, he does have a good instinct for politics with great media nous. But the ALP does need a few more strong performers ready to go, ‘cos these are all only the first shots… the big nasty dirty sh*t cannon is coming!
Plus, politically, it is not Dudd himself doing the criticism, so it is at arms length and maybe Pete can still go a bit harder on these slimey corrupt soulless bastards… Let’s hope!
July 20th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Oh, so Ken,and I ask this in the most delicate way possible, (this is to clear me from the giving the neighbor a mobile ‘phone) as I marched against Viet Nam, then got bloody well called up,I was a loyal but disgruntled server, and also have sent many interesting letters and made public remarks against Howard , having watched him since 1965,told the Nats to piss of with branch stacking,refused to shake the hand of Wal Murray and also Bill Sneddon, ah, the past, and now try and convert you lefty uncontrolled rabble to the true ways, why?
July 20th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
I guess now we know the real reason the defence barrister released the record of interview to The Australian….
July 20th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
My prediction is starting to come true… that the government will impale themselves on their own stake. Consider the following:
1. Peter Farris has jumped ship
From yesterday, calling Julian Burnside a limp-wristed, do-gooder lefty shirker for daring to criticise the terrorist laws as applied to Haneef, to today calling for the establishment of an Aussie “FBI” to take cases like Haneef’s out of the hands of the obviously incompetent, blundering Kevin Andrews and Mick Keelty’s bunch of Keystone Kops.
2. Beattie expresses “embarrassment”
Peter Beattie is now calling for an “explanation” of the government’s performance on this matter, saying that while he has faith in the government, certain issues need to be clarified. He points out that while Haneef is a Queensland doctor, was arressted in queensland and is incarcerated in Queensland cell, this has just been his mob - over which he exercise no operational control - helping out the Federal government, whose operation this well and truly is.
3. The media are all over this like a rash…
… led by The Australian, who apparently have let their journalistic instincts get in the way of their Howard Hugging tendencies (notwithstanding Chris Mitchell’s weasly all-but-dobbing in of Haneef’s barrister the other day). This story will not go away and will eventually assume Hicksian proportions, but in the meantime…
4. Kevin Andrews is vowing not to reinstate Haneef’s visa…
… always a certain prelude to this government’s 180 degree reversal of policy when the heat gets too much. They will probably use the “verballing” of Haneef as a suitable excuse and blame Keelty (which Howard is already doing, thereby removing the glory from himself for protecting us).
Conclusion
All in all a good result for federal Labor, who do not control either the Federal Police, the application of the terrorism laws, the Queensland jails or the rescinding of visas.
Why gild the lily by pointing out the bleedin’ obvious when you have so many allies (including the enemy themselves) doing it for you? Labor’s touching faith in the government’s actions is borne entirely out of the government’s actions and application of the laws (which Labor has no control over), not the laws themselves (which they voted for, and would vote for again, especially if they have no hope of amending them and getting wedged).
I share Ken’s absolute apoplexy over what is happening to Haneef, but I do believe Labor is playing this one well. It will all die down, one way or another, pretty soon and any slight advantage the government has won in the polls will be eradicated.
Do not believe the myth that once the rot sets in pollqize for Labor that the government will inexorably retain a winning position. There will be hills and valleys, swings and roundabouts. To get to a winning position from Terror the government would have to run Haneef-type cases for the next four months, by which time the natural scepticism of the Australian public for all things Howard will be restored.
One Morgan poll doth not a Coalition summer make. The last Newspoll came well into the Haneef case and there wasn’t much of a turn in it. If - and I say “if” - this hange in Morgan is down to Terror, then the government’s ineptness in running the show will tell, and tell soon. After this farce they will never be believed again.
Meanwhile Labor will be the cleanskins, happily supporting the laws. Imagine if Morgan was down to Terror and Labor had opposed the government’s actions, where would Rudd be then? I think this Morgan, with a small increase that’s maybe down to Terror is a good sign, not a bad one that the Old Dog’s tricks (to use Shanahan’s metaphor) aren’t as potent as they used to be, at least not with a competent Opposition fielding every ball.
July 20th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Again AB you say it so eloquently.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Don’t worry about one poll, folks. This is well within normal statistical variation. Wait until two rounds of all the polls before you start seriously worrying. My bet is the next round of polls, (taken after the truth about the government’s handling of the Haneef case has come out, and the Costello comments), will not be so good for the government.
July 20th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
This just in from INDIA:
Downer is busily chucking together an agreement with the Indian Gov, to send Dr. Haneef back to Bangalore, with some other bilateral agreements and arrangements also being worked out
July 20th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Aussie Bob, if the reported extradition arrangements are confirmed, this indicates that hoWARd is quickly reacting to cut his losses on the whole issue.
The fact that Andrews, the AFP and now Downer are involved means that this came from the very top of hoWARd’s government. Just like the Aboriginal emergency.
Chances are that by Monday it will have died down and most voters would hardly have heard of it. Meanwhile some very dodgy precedents have been set. Very few have made any noise or openly spoken against this whole circus.
The ALP might have missed a great opportunity to counter-attack, but like AB mentioned still managed to stay out of it and remain clean.
It is like hoWARd has been probing Rudd’s line of defense with a few of these wedges: their discipline is holding, and their reaction time seems ok. Meanwhile the weeks roll by and the polls remain negative.
Things are getting desperate…
July 20th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
“Things are getting desperate…”
Reckon you’re on the money,Carlos.
Latest odds from a colourful N.T. Gaming Establishment has a 44 cent spread.
Coalition 2.15
Labor 1.71
July 21st, 2007 at 12:41 am
Hi all,
I have just got in from a night out and I am still trying to assimilate everything. I spoke to a few Howard-voters who all said that until today they were all for detaining Dr Haneef…. but now, they are beginning to see it as a political setup and the comment was “Howard must pay”. Interesting the Costello issue doesn’t concern them at all, because they know that Labor is going to win.
Dr Haneef is being held in custody because of a political decision, therefore he is a political prisioner (IMHO).
Also, any comment on my blog are appreciated (can we get a link on here?)
July 21st, 2007 at 12:48 am
Robert Manne neatly KO’d Hendo on Lateline on this issue. Hendo was rabbiting on about how the whole Haneef saga was business as usual in the war on terror, when Manne reminded the audience about Keelty’s injudicious remarks concerning Keim QC being guilty of contempt of court in releasing the transcript of interview, a view shared by no other legal authority. I thought Hendo was going to burst a blood vessel - lucky the ABC makeup people had used a trowel to encrust the Hendo face. He of course immediately resorted to ad hominem lines of the ‘I don’t know what they teach at La Trobe, but…’ ilk. All in all highly entertaining, especially the bit where Hendo denied being a right winger (!!!)
July 21st, 2007 at 1:38 am
Hal9000 I don’t think it was pancake makeup, I think Hendo’s overdosed on a full body botox, to give himself the controlled and steely look, while all about him fellow wingnuts are losing it bigtime.
Yes, the good Professor did slit him up a treat rather, but then Manne is highly intelligent, and a sort of human being Hendo never could be. BTW, have you noticed it’s now ‘Dr’ Henderson, well I suppose it adds gravitas…. or something.
Also, I enjoyed La Trioli’s interviewing skills tonight - I am so glad I didn’t turn Lateline off, as I’ve been wont to do most Friday night’s since she took over the role.
I also pricked up my ears when the financial reporter came on. So now major hedge funds, and even some councils (for example) here in Oz are beginning to feel the heat of the ‘toxic debt’ eminating from the collapsing sub prime mortgage market in the US. The chap (sorry I didn’t catch his name) said that the extent of the fallout is unknown - but apparently the new Federal Reserve Bank Chairman, Ben Benanke (who took over from Alan Greenspan) has forecaste that the situation in the US will get a lot worse before it gets better - I wonder how that augers for Australia’s ‘toxic debt’?
I won’t say I told you so, well not yet!
July 21st, 2007 at 1:39 am
No one likes living in a police state.
And Hal9000, ever noticed that Hendo NEVER smiles? Not even a mere hint of one. Seems to have had the full humourectomy.
July 21st, 2007 at 1:45 am
I’m not sure what to think about the ALP’s handling of this issue. On one hand, it is smart politics to avoid the wedge, but on the other hand we are talking about some fairly huge injustices and downright bastardry on the part of the Government. The visa cancellation was tantamount to the destruction of the seperation of powers guaranteed by the Constitution, at least in this case. And as Beattie said tonight on PM, this hush-hush “evidence” is all looking a bit shaky and the Government’s behaviour is even more arrogant and sanctimonious than I’ve ever witnessed before. I’d actually like to see the Opposition call the Government on its abuse of power: for God’s sake, this really is too much.
For reference, here is the template reply I received from Rudd (I actually emailed him prior to Andrews cancelling Haneef’s visa):
This, we already know, I guess. Considering that this AFP briefing likely contained absolutely no grounds for considering Haneef of “bad character” (really, why would the AFP share efficacious information with the ALP and not with the magistrate?), I still consider that the AFP has gone to water.
Oh yeah, and Andrews was required, under the law, to have deemed Haneef to be of bad character, AND for the cancellation of his visa to be in the national interest. Perhaps someone should point out to him that the national interest is not equivalent to the interests of the Federal Liberal Party.
p.s. may I add that Andrews is utterly weasel-y?
July 21st, 2007 at 8:14 am
Mandy S p.s. may I add that Andrews is utterly weasel-y?
Just like his master.
July 21st, 2007 at 8:38 am
Your initial points indicating Dr Haneef was possibly uninvolved are spurious. Look at all the other aspects - His wife wears a hankie on her head, he’s a Muslim (a religion dedicated to the destruction of all non-muslim thingo’s), he doesn’t shave properly and his dress sense is atrocious. (Shoes are ALWAYS worn with orange one-pieces. Most of all he must be guilty at this particular point in the election cycle. Guilty, Guiulty, Guilty, regasrdless of involvement.
July 21st, 2007 at 10:21 am
Damn. I just wrote a long entry and it disappeared into the ether because the code I entered was apparently wrong. I’ll see if I can recapture it…
You may be onto something there with Hendo and the Botox, Herindoors. Using deadly toxins for cosmetic effect would be about right for Hendo. May explain the inability to smile, too, Seeker.
Back on topic, though, I’ve been thinking we need to take Mick Keelty and John Howard at their words on responsibility for the
perprosecution of Haneef. John Howard says it’s the AFP’s responsibility and Mick Keelty says the whole business has not been incompetently handled. If not incompetence, then what? The only other possibility is malice, and for this there is plenty of evidence.Consider the record: creative use of detention without charge provision to prolong the
fishing expeditioninterview period until public patience wore out; deliberate leaking of lies about the evidence (Haneef was a leader of a radical Islamic student movement, he visited bombmaking websites, he was in constant contact with the Glasgow bombers in the days before the incident, etc); more lies entered as evidence at the bail hearing; at the very least, enthusiastic cooperation with Andrews in the visa withdrawal caper; bullying and threats against Haneef’s legal team for releasing the transcript of interview [note here that Haneef's legal team have still not been given the transcript of the second interview, as is required by law]; the list goes, and undoubtedly will go, on.The AFP used once to be the model of efficient and ethical policing in Australia, but this is the level to which participation in Bush/Cheney’s Global War on Terror project has dragged them. No doubt Mick Keelty grew up watching Ephraim Zimbalist Jr battling for truth and justice on Sunday nights in the FBI tv show. Perhaps he commenced his career modelling himself on the pure and wholesome fictional J Edgar Hoover, who, while rarely seen, was an inspiration to his men. Sadly, it appears he now more closely resembles the grubby little power-crazed pervert who actually was FBI Director.
We know from Habib and Hicks that Keelty’s wallopers participated in
tortureenhanced interrogation sessions at secret UStorture chambersdetention facilities. Unlike, it must be said, the real FBI agents who refused to participate in similar activities at Guantanamo and reported their concerns in writing. We know from the Bali 9 case that selling Australians down the drain, and lying, are now standard AFP tactics.I’m suggesting therefore that a full public inquiry into the AFP should be a top priority of an incoming Labor government. The foetid sludge of the Howard/Bush years needs to be sluiced out, and this agency prevented from becoming, as the US FBI once was, an unaccountable state within a state.
There, that’s got most of it I think.
July 21st, 2007 at 10:26 am
Um, one point I missed was that the thing I find most nauseating about the Haneef thing is the extent to which it appears the Man of Steel, the Corpse Who Walks, Andrews, Keelty and the rest of the gang actually appear to enjoy exercising the power they hold over ordinary people. And that attitude percolates down to the plods actually interviewing Haneef. Truly disgusting.
July 21st, 2007 at 3:24 pm
The Labor party needs to be held accountable for their part in this farce. What good is a briefing based on secret information if the AFP can’t even get the basics right with facts that are (or will shortly be) in the public domain.
Why should we trust that executive decisions based entirely on secret information will be any more soundly based that those based on public information when they can’t even get those right?
Kevin Andrews action was a violation of the principle of natural justice unless he has very strong evidence that Haneef was part of a plot that represented an imminent danger to the Australian public. Nothing in the publicly available information suggests this is so.
If we trusted the executive to behave responsibly then we could perhaps put some weight in the so-called sensitive information. However, this government has long since lost the right to deserve that trust.
The Labor party was fundamentally wrong to endorse Minister Andrew’s actions under a fully legal and fully draconian immigration law. They should have withheld judgement about the merits of Kevin Andrew’s claims of bad character until such time as they were substantiated with publicly available information. They certainly should not have endorsed the premature truncation of Haneef’s presumption of innocence. By law, and by the terms of natural justice, this can only occur when the accused is found guilty in a court of law - not before.
The Labor party was hoping to deny the Liberals a wedge issue so they abandoned the principle of presumption of innocence. Now that this case has descended into farce, they are left to wallow in the government’s cesspit and wonder about the what if’s of defending central principles of western jurisprudence and democracy.
July 21st, 2007 at 5:12 pm
True, and for all me know some already have been. One of the most contentious sections of the anti terror legislation is that those detained, and any relative/friend who is officially informed of the fact, cannot talk about it - ever - to anyone - even if they are subsequently released without charge.
I wonder how many of the electors of Bennelong they’d have to put on ice to ensure JWH gets reelected? It wouldn’t be too hard to get hundred of them to reveal their voting intentions for a phone poll.
And if you believe that couldn’t happen here, just reflect on how many things have happened in this country in the last decade that you wouldn’t have thought possible in 1996!
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:17 am
Since Howard & Co’s attempt to instill Fear about the unions and failed to change the poll ratings, then their attempt to use Prejudice failed to change the poll ratings, I thought from the beginning that the Haneef situation would be another attempt at wedge politics, designed to increase both Fear AND Prejudice to change the poll ratings. When Keelty and Ruddock started spruiking their prejudicial comments I was sure I was right and reading the transcript, I knew I was right. The recent revelations have proved that I was right.
What is shocking is how the government and AFP together engaged in this dastardly plan of lies and deceit in order to con the gullible and naïve yet again, in what has turned out to be an aborted attempt to change the poll ratings. This series of deceit and lies shows that this government, with the support of the AFP will go to any lengths to con and manipulate the voting public. This is very worrying, too close to a police state and too close to the ‘game’ played by Hitler before he took total control of Germany.
Rudd and the ALP has done the only thing they could do, kept quiet and given only muted support, using the term ‘in principle.’ Otherwise The Rodent and his ilk would have been screaming from the rooftops that the ALP is weak on terrorism. Rudd is indeed ‘monitoring developments closely’ and is wise at this time to keep quiet and let the ‘police state’ participants hang themselves. Rudd was monitoring the increasing lies, knowing full well that eventually the truth would come out about the SIM card. I had been searching international reports so knew Scotland Yard wasn’t interested in Haneef and that he had given his SIM card to the relative in Liverpool, so obviously Rudd knew the same. Note even Peter Beatty is being somewhat circumspect, but getting his point across. Others, solicitors, barristers, the minor parties, and, yes, even Robert Manne, are also getting the point across, while the government has no comeback at federal Labor being ‘soft on terrorism.’ So yes, the 3rd attempt to win points via wedge politics has failed. And this definitely demonstrates how desperate the federal government is, to show the extent they were willing to go to try to shift public opinion, including allowing the public to see that Howard & Co are developing a police state.
I agree with Carlos that the government will try to get Haneef deported as soon as possible, hoping that this matter will die down. However, it will continue as long as Haneef is in Australia and be continue to be talked about in Editorials and Opinions in newspapers, in interviews shown on television and newspapers, on talk back radio and from statements from Haneef’s solicitors and barristers as well as statements from others and questions to the government. To date all have talked about 3 scenarios, nasty wedge politics, exploitation of executive powers and/or the Howard government conspiring with the AFP, and all will talk about previous lies, such as Tampa, and previous abuse of governmental powers. Therefore, all but the truly naïve and gullible will tend to be aware when Howard tries another stunt, more wedge politics. IMO, The Rodent & Co have been exposed, are now covered in their own S**T but even the attempt to clean themselves up with seem obvious, again to all but the truly gullible and naïve.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:18 am
I am confused why he has been charged at all by our police. Extensive investigation using at least 170 officers have not been able to find any crimes committed in this country. The charges against him are for alleged crimes in England.
Would not the normal course of action be for the British to ask for him to be removed from Australia and returned to England, where the alleged crime was committed.
If the British do not want him, he should be allowed to return to his home country.
There does not appear to be any evidence that he committed any crimes in this country.
I imagine he would not want to remain in Australia after his treatment by our law and government.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:51 am
Christ the secret information had better be good, or this will go down in history as an act of incompetent, cynically political ministerial bastardry that defies belief.
But I’ve been waiting for that for years. SIEV-X, Tampa, AWB, non-existent WMDs, burgeoning debt, Hicks - every time I’ve thought that is going to wake everyone up and get them kicked out. No. “Good economic managers”, y’see. (Well, as long as the resources boom and the residential bubble continue, I suppose.)
July 23rd, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Helen, my thoughts entirely, though put so much more concisely than I could.
Have just been listening to another of Howard’s claque on local ABC radio 891, Christopher Pyne, sounding decidely chipper for a man in his position, bit forced perhaps, hysterical even?
Obviously the backroom lexical gnomes have been busy writing the script for the week, and Pyneocchio has learned his well, i.e., ‘it’s the hysterical media, don’t they know there’s a war on’? Or, ‘it’s all Labor’s fault, clearly demonstrating it’s too inexperienced to lead the country’; or, or, ‘it’s people of little faith, have they forgotton Bali so soon? ‘Ingrates!’. AND ‘where would we be if we weren’t so blessed with such a clever government with its wondrous Dear Leader, who has given his all’. ‘What with an extraordinary good economy, full employment and the marvellous team (including the AFP) going all out to keep us safe’. Blah, blah, blahdidditty blah.
So sad, when you think how everything is coming apart, as people wake up from their force fed Mcstuffed slumber, their consequent indig-gestion will know no bounds.
July 23rd, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Speaking of Hendo & Manne…remember Hendo complaining, as ABC haters so often luv to do, that Manne had gotten more than his share of time in the interview. Well, I went back & counted using the old “one Mississippi, 2 Mississippi” system we learnt as kids…& guess what? At the stage he had the WINGE it was 174 Mississippi for Hendo & 173 Mississippi for Manne. So either Hendo was paranoid…or diverting…or both…;)
I know the ‘Mississippi’ counting system is a bit slack, lacking ‘exactness’…but hey, we’re living in an age of News Ltd. dominance where ACCURACY is not always a top priority…as long as it could be right, kinda right…RIGHT?
Serves its purpose.
July 23rd, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Nas, that Hendo is paranoid goes without saying - just listen to the tripe he spouts whenever he called upon to comment, which sadly is often. But, on this occasion I reckon you are spot on re his ‘diverting’. The good prof was all over him, and La Trioli was decidedly unsympathetic, and both were obviously enjoying Hendo’s discomfort and faux complaints of ‘how dare you question what’s sub judici’.
When oh when will they cross this little man off their ‘experts’ list, oh, and that dreadful cracked record ‘Professor’ Peter Saunders while they’re at it. Surely there has to be some erudite, entertaining, passing knowledgeable and faintly credible wingnuts out there?
July 23rd, 2007 at 5:49 pm
BTW, how did the credence of the police having found Dr. Haneef’s sim card in the burnt out wreckage of the Jeep at Glasgow’s airport gain widespread acceptance here? I mean everyone could see the overwhelming fire left the 4wdrive a complete shell of twisted metal.
I know we are all totally taken in by the mostly imaginary wonders of tv land’s CSI, (or SOCO in Britain’s case), but really a child would have understood that a tiny plastic mobile phone and its innards wouldn’t have stood a snowball’s in hell chance!
It will be good when we get a change of government, hopefully the promised reinstallation of widespread critical education will get us to resume reflective, contextually based thinking - to my mind, not a moment too soon.
July 23rd, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Herindoors, I agree that La Trioli has picked up her game of late…went a bit astray there…like someone was sitting behind her on the swing…went all Faux News ‘balanced’…;)
Yea, Manne did a top job…& Hendo did the dummy spit. He really does come across like a character straight outa the movie ‘Downfall’ (tho i think we know who’s bagged the role of Goebbels)…or perhaps the rather intense Hendo would be more comfortable in “Allo, Allo”?
You’ll luv no. 19 of the following…a reduced version of
GOEBBELS’ PRINCIPLES OF PROPAGANDA
1. Propagandist must have access to intelligence concerning events and public opinion.
2. Propaganda must be planned and executed by only one authority.
a. It must issue all the propaganda directives
b. It must explain propaganda directives to important officials and maintain their morale
c. It must oversee other agencies’ activities which have propaganda consequences
6. To be perceived, propaganda must evoke the interest of an audience and must be transmitted through an attention-getting communications medium.
12. Propaganda may be facilitated by leaders with prestige.
13. Propaganda must be carefully timed.
a. The communication must reach the audience ahead of competing propaganda.
b. A propaganda campaign must begin at the optimum moment
c. A propaganda theme must be repeated, but not beyond some point of diminishing effectiveness
14. Propaganda must label events and people with distinctive phrases or slogans.
16. Propaganda to the home front must create an optimum anxiety level.
a. Propaganda must reinforce anxiety concerning the consequences of defeat
17. Propaganda to the home front must diminish the impact of frustration.
a. Inevitable frustrations must be anticipated
b. Inevitable frustrations must be placed in perspective
19. Propaganda cannot immediately affect strong counter-tendencies; instead it must offer some form of action or diversion, or both.
“Goebbels’ Principles of Propaganda” by Leonard W. Doob published in “Public Opinion and Propaganda; A Book of Readings edited for The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues.”
July 24th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Keelty should be sacked, the officers involved should be sacked, there should be an independant inquirey into the political involvment and all politicians exposed should also be sacked.
seems the police just couldnt help themselves and abused their “Additional powers” no surprises here. Time for these powers to be revoked.
its crap like this that makes me ashamed to call myself an Australian.