Detaining ( US )peace activist may be abuse of power: QC

[WearyOne]

Detaining peace activist may be abuse of power: QC

September 12, 2005 - 10:35AM


Scott Parkin pictured on ABC TV at the conference protests in Sydney.

High-profile refugee advocate Julian Burnside QC has questioned whether the federal government was abusing its power by detaining an American peace activist.

Mr Burnside said he wanted to know why it took Australian authorities so long to act if Scott Parkin was indeed a security threat.

"They've got the right, but the question is whether that right has been exercised in a way that provides sufficient protection for ordinary citizens and visitors to Australia," Mr Burnside told ABC radio.

American Scott Parkin is being held at Melbourne Custody Centre and faces deportation after having his six-month visitor visa cancelled on the grounds he is a risk to national security.
Lawyer Marika Dias told ABC Radio today that Mr Parkin was considering accepting deportation in order to get out of jail.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/detaining-peace-activist-may-be-abuse-of-power-qc/2005/09/12/1126377233140.html