Saturday, October 15, 2005

Northern Exposure

The ABC and News Ltd both report the same story - Prime Minister John Howard razzing on ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope for publishing the Federal Government's draft anti-terrorism laws on the Internet.

News' The Courier-Mail intros "PM slams ACT over terror laws leak" with:

PRIME Minister John Howard has condemned the ACT Government for publishing copies of the Commonwealth's controversial new anti-terror laws on the internet.

ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope released a draft copy of the new laws on his website yesterday.


The ABC headlines the story "Stanhope under fire over bill leak" and begins:

The Prime Minister has described the ACT Chief Minister's decision to place the draft anti-terrorism laws on the Internet as irresponsible.

Jon Stanhope is refusing a Federal Government request to remove the confidential draft of the bill from his website.


But only one of the two gleefully adds a hyperlink from the word 'website' so you can dash straight there and get outraged at the government's proposed efforts to make sure no one blows your legs off.

No prizes for guessing which.

Meanwhile, in a press release on his site, Stanhope demonstrates he just doesn't get it:

“I believe too much emphasis has been put on the duty of Muslims to prove that they are not a danger to the community, and not enough on the broader community’s duty to understand and address the causes of the alienation that creates the environment where terrorism can flourish,” Mr Stanhope said.


and in the ABC report, Australian Council for Civil Liberties president Terry O'Gorman suggests:

"...the laws would have a chilling effect on free speech..."


The emphasis is mine, to point out the words that, if one was playing a leftie cliche drinking game, would prompt a chug.

Or two.

-- Nick

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