Police State FTL

[Kytro]

Random body searches cleared for APEC. 17/05/2007. ABC News Online

NSW Premier Morris Iemma says the State Government will introduce legislation into Parliament to give police increased powers for the duration of the APEC Summit in Sydney.

The legislation will include powers to detain people and subject them to random body searches.

It would create so-called declared zones in the CBD and border in blocks including a section between George, Macquarie and King Street.

Mr Iemma says the new laws will give the police increased power.

"Now within that zone for police to be able to stop and search people entering that zone," he said.

He says it needs to managed in a balanced manner to ensure people who live in inner city apartment blocks are not affected.

"It is an inconvenience - it is not a thing we like doing - it is though a sad reflection of the times we live in."

It is expected there will be several other declared zones established in the city and possibly one along the airport corridor.

The APEC Summit will be held on September 7, 8 and 9.

I am glad I don't live in that state, "declared zones" sounds dangerously close to having to justify your presence in public.

[Linzyhop]

Originally Posted by Kytro

Random body searches cleared for APEC. 17/05/2007. ABC News Online



I am glad I don't live in that state, "declared zones" sounds dangerously close to having to justify your presence in public.

[DosEquis]

I didn't realize the security situation on Australia, or that state anyway, was so dire that they need to resort to such measures.

Perhaps you should enlist in the Aussie army and move to Iraq where it is safer. That shit is bananas.

[RMNIXON]

Not a good sign. It starts with "zones" for a certain time period. Then you make excuses to expand the bubble and when it will be enforced. That is why we are so lucky to have near rock solid protections against unreasonable search and siezure. Government should not be allowed to subject you to a search for just being in a certain public area without reasonable cause or suspicion.

[Kytro]

The security situation is fine, there has never been an actual terrorist attack here (for a number of reasons - people were caught, not that big of a target etc) but the government is always making a big deal of possible attacks and I guess it scares people.

Then again, Australia does not have a bill of rights (eg: freedom of speech isn't a given)