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The Forum > Article Comments > Warring against sources: the Australian national security state, journalism and the public interest > Comments

Warring against sources: the Australian national security state, journalism and the public interest : Comments

By Binoy Kampmark, published 7/6/2019

When the archaic official secrets provisions of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) were repealed in June 29 2018 those dealing with publishing such material felt slight relief.

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Well what could we do?

The Australian electoral system entrenches the absolute rule of a single party, which for the irony of calling Australia a "democracy", is constructed of two flanks: one flank would sell us to China, the other to America. No matter what we want or do, one or the other had to be elected.

This ruling party naturally legislates to fortify its rule against the Australian people, with the aim that in future, once it sends tanks to shoot down protesters, nobody will dare to speak about it.
Posted by Yuyutsu, Friday, 7 June 2019 8:18:28 AM
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A massive knee-jerk and whine by the Left. The media has far too much self-regard; it is untrustworthy and not to be believed much of the time. It thinks that it is above the law. It needed a good shake up to show it that it is not - particularly the ABC, which is not interested in other people's freedoms, just its own.
Posted by ttbn, Friday, 7 June 2019 9:30:06 AM
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One notes, this war on the freedom of the press was left for around a year and only brought on after the federal election!

And defended stoutly by minister Dutton, who as usual talked over any criticism of the leader of the opposition/anybody else. And reminiscent of a police state that nobody not in the minority privileged class would want to live in!

What's next in a nation where our rights and freedom are gradually worn away and replaced by sanctioned bigotry?

It is long past time when we had a charter of rights that not even the most DICTATORIAL MINISTER, CAN FLOUT!

If a few bad apples have somehow gotten past the checks and balances in our elite armed forces, and subsequently committed alleged war crimes?

Then there has to be a light shone on it rather than hidden or swept under some bureaucratic carpet?

We are not Nazis (yet) and this is not a police state (yet)!?
Alan B.
Posted by Alan B., Friday, 7 June 2019 10:25:37 AM
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One wonders how any of the disclosures mentioned might impinge on Australia's security or even why those matters have the security status given to them, other than to suggest that it is to protect bums from public scrutiny.
I presume that the primary aim of the raids was to discover the sources of the leaks from within the defence department. Considering the means now available to enable these sources to be traced, the spooks might need to lift their game and not go terrorising the fourth estate.
David
Posted by VK3AUU, Friday, 7 June 2019 10:57:04 AM
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Thousands of Anzacs lie buried in marked and unmarked graves sacrificing everything, including their sanity to prevent us from becoming a police state!
Was the sacrifice of millions of lives PTS and billions in treasure and demolished property, all sacrificed in vain!? Jackie.

WE STAND ALONE AS THE ONLY " DEMOCRACY" THAT DOES NOT HAVE A BILL OF IRREVOCABLE RIGHTS!

We should have just such a charter! And proven by the raids on the allegedly free press!

Thankfully, no party, even those who want to sell us to China or America, has an absolute rule in our parliament and has to answer to the house of review, the Senate.

Which should grow both a spine and a pair of testicles, and pass a motion requiring a bill of rights be put to a referendum. Rights that now sadly, must include a citizen's initiated referendum and guaranteed freedom of the fourth estate!

A Citizens initiated referendum, could under some circumstances, force a MALICIOUS SECRETIVE rogue government to face the people and an early election! tIME FOR THE PRESS TO UNDERSTAND, IT'S THEIR FIGHT FOR THEIR RIGHTS, FIRST AND FOREMOST! AND CHOSE A SIDE!
Alan B.
Posted by Alan B., Friday, 7 June 2019 11:25:37 AM
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If the media networks and journalists have not broken any laws, they have nothing to fear. However, the ABC, in particular, has never done anything that would suggest it is not up to no good, and let's not forget their bias against, and hatred of, non-Left governments.
Posted by ttbn, Friday, 7 June 2019 11:46:26 AM
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