Page 394 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 16 February 2016
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Other measures that are inherent in the ACT law and are not inherent in other state or territory law include measures to protect citizens’ rights through the judicious thresholds which must be met before a preventative detention order can be granted; that orders cannot be made for children; central oversight of the orders by the Supreme Court; information must be given to detainees, including explaining the effect of the order and that the person has the right to contact their family, a lawyer, the human rights commissioner or the Ombudsman; the availability of compensation if a person suffers loss or expense because of the exercise of special powers under the act; and specific compliance with international human rights standards is required, particularly regarding the treatment of detained people and the inadmissibility of evidence obtained under duress.
These measures do not stand alone; they are part of a national strategy designed to ensure the safety and security of our community. The ACT continues to work closely with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism to help try and keep Australians safe.
In his speech at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in January this year, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of his talks with the US intelligence community during his visit. An important area of future focus noted by the Prime Minister is developing measures to fight terrorist recruiters online. The Prime Minister said:
ISIL may have an archaic and barbaric ideology, but its use of technology and social media in particular is very sophisticated and agile.
As ISIL uses social media for its propaganda, we must respond rapidly and persuasively with the facts.
Terrorists target people who are discontented or marginalised. They promote their ideologies as a better way of life. Many such individuals see extremists as friends on social media, which leads to personal engagement and then radicalisation. Families and communities in partnership with the government, therefore, have a critical role in identifying people at risk of being influenced by extremist thought and intervening before harm is done.
Diverting and disengaging individuals at risk of radicalisation and rehabilitating violent extremists are priority activities across the country. The Australian government’s countering violent extremism strategy, which commenced in 2014, is central to trying to protect these more vulnerable members of our community from radicalisation.
The long-term goal of the strategy is to reduce the risk of home-grown terrorism by strengthening Australia’s resilience to radicalisation and assisting individuals to disengage from violent extremist influences and beliefs. This is being done by identifying and diverting violent extremists and supporting them to disengage from those behaviours; identifying and supporting at-risk individuals and groups; building community cohesion and resilience; communicating effectively to challenge extremist messages; and working closely with communities.
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