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Inner-city clergy unite in concern over APEC

Three local clergy, Rev. Graham Long from the renowned Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross, Rev. Dorothy McRae-McMahon and Rev. Andrew Collis from the South Sydney Uniting Church, will be attending APEC protests in September in order to monitor police activity in response to the powers bestowed on the force by the NSW Government writes Ben Falkenmire in the South Sydney Herald of August 2007.

In late June this year the NSW Government passed the APEC Meeting (Police Powers) Act for the APEC event. Under the legislation, which was opposed only by Greens members, police have the power to stop and search individuals and restrict access for “excluded persons” in designated APEC zones in the city without the need to inform these excluded people, or the public, who is excluded.

A presumption against bail applies for those who assault police, throw missiles at them or cause malicious damage, and those caught in the restricted area with items like spray cans and poles can be incarcerated for 6 months to 2 years.

According to parliamentary debate, NSW members were mindful of the need to circumvent protestor violence observed at the G20 held in Melbourne in November last year, and the potential for a terrorist attack. APEC will be attended by 21 high profile leaders of its member states including the United States, Russia, China, Japan and Indonesia.

Shadow NSW Minister for Police Michael Gallacher told the SSH that the Act is necessary to provide police and protestors with an understanding of where the “line in the sand” resides.

“Uncertainty allows protestors to potentially exploit the situation,” said Gallacher. “The legislation drives home the message to those who wish to use this event to create a scene, purely for worldwide TV media, that their actions won’t be tolerated.”

Greens member Dr John Kaye believes the Act is more about intimidating protestors than ensuring safety for the public.

“This legislation is focused on creating a climate of intimidation against those who would seek to express dissent against decisions made by both the Australian Government and governments of other nations,” said Dr Kaye in parliament. “If we undermine free dissent we undermine democracy.”

President of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, Cameron Murphy, said he was appalled by the legislation. “There is no precedent in Australia for the exclusive list, let alone the Western world,” said Murphy. “Someone can be charged for an offence without knowing they have committed one, because they didn’t know they were on the list.”

Rev. Dorothy McRae-McMahon remembers being “harassed and spied on” by ASIO in the days of the Vietnam War but said, “Those experiences are nothing compared to the way our liberties have been undermined today, all in the name of fighting terrorism.”

Rev. Andrew Collis points out that there is a real danger the Act could erode the relationship between police and the public. “When that trust breaks down, anger and The homeless should be front of mind according to Rev. Graham Long. “I am concerned the people who live on the streets of Sydney will find themselves moved along and possibly arrested for merely existing,” he said.

Mr Murphy told the SSH he was sceptical about the longer-term risks associated with the Act, in particular the potential for it to become permanent legislation.

“I have seen it before with the National Crimes Authority in 1983 and with the more recent terrorism powers. Both had sunset clauses and both were extended, eventually becoming permanent pieces of legislation,” said Murphy.

Mr Gallacher said in response any extension of the Act’s sunset clause would require an amendment by resolution. This means at least 4 non-ALP members would have to agree with all ALP members to extend the Act.

APEC meetings begin on 2 September with the 2-day APEC leaders meeting to commence Saturday 8 September, one day after the designated public holiday on the Friday.

Photo: Revs Graham Long, Dorothy McRae-McMahon and Andrew Collis Photo: Ali Blogg

Source: South Sydney Herald July 2007 http://www.southsydneyherald.com.au/