NSW: Labor to get tough on national security

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2003
NSW: Labor to get tough on national security

SYDNEY, Dec 17 AAP - The Attorney-General would be given the power to ban suspected
terrorist groups under a new Labor party plan, it was reported today.

The Australian newspaper reported that the ALP was in discussions with the federal
government in a bid to develop a bipartisan approach to national security.

Opposition homeland security spokesman Robert McClelland said the policy shift would
be contentious within sections of the Labor movement.

However, the move was necessary to show voters that Labor could handle national security
issues, he said.

"Some of the relatively narrow membership base that we have in the party is refusing
to acknowledge the legitimate security concerns and anxiety that working Australians have,"

Mr McClelland was quoted as saying.

Mr McClelland also said the reasons for going to war in Iraq given by the British and
Australian governments were "flawed and dishonest".

AAP kjd/tma

KEYWORD: TERROR BAN

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