George Williams at the National Press Club
31st January 2003
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George Williams, Anthony Mason Professor and Director of the Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law at UNSW, this week delivered the prestigious National Press Club Australia Day address.
In a speech entitled Australian Values and the War against Terrorism, Professor Williams examined both the anti-terrorism laws enacted following September 11 and the ASIO Bill, still before Federal Parliament.
Pointing to the “national grief” engendered by the Bali attack, he questioned whether, in focusing upon the fight against terrorism, we are compromising our personal freedoms at home. “New laws must strike a balance between defence and national security on the one hand, and important public values and fundamental democratic rights on the other,” Professor Williams said.
In comments that were widely reported in the national media, Professor Williams also warned that Australia could be in breach of international law, and could be brought before the International Court of Justice, if it joined a unilateral strike against Iraq.
Professor Williams is regarded as one of Australia's leading constitutional law experts. He has repeatedly raised concerns about Australia's legislative response to the threat of terrorism, describing the ASIO Bill, which remains deadlocked in the Parliament, as "rotten to the core." For the full text of Professor Williams’ address, go to the National Press Club.
In a speech entitled Australian Values and the War against Terrorism, Professor Williams examined both the anti-terrorism laws enacted following September 11 and the ASIO Bill, still before Federal Parliament.
Pointing to the “national grief” engendered by the Bali attack, he questioned whether, in focusing upon the fight against terrorism, we are compromising our personal freedoms at home. “New laws must strike a balance between defence and national security on the one hand, and important public values and fundamental democratic rights on the other,” Professor Williams said.
In comments that were widely reported in the national media, Professor Williams also warned that Australia could be in breach of international law, and could be brought before the International Court of Justice, if it joined a unilateral strike against Iraq.
Professor Williams is regarded as one of Australia's leading constitutional law experts. He has repeatedly raised concerns about Australia's legislative response to the threat of terrorism, describing the ASIO Bill, which remains deadlocked in the Parliament, as "rotten to the core." For the full text of Professor Williams’ address, go to the National Press Club.
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