One of the worst things about this bill is that the opposition knows it is full of problems and could have blocked it and forced a range of amendedments.
The Labor party here though is afraid of creating any point of difference on anything that could in any way be considered “national security” legislation. So instead of risk a lengthy period over the summer break where they would be attacked if any kind of terrorist attack happened they caved and passed the original version.
Ties in nicely to Adam Curtis' observations regarding politics being a risk obsessed managerial domain now (see the economist article that was HN front page yesterday).
There is a bipartisan consensus on security and other matters in Australia. Most policy development in Australia is driven by the unelected agencies and departments that survive their political masters.
There is nothing in the values and philosophies of the ALP such that they would not have legislated this agenda were they in government rather than opposition.
There are so many other examples of this over history, such as the GST, Australia Card, refugee policy, copyright laws.
>There is a bipartisan consensus on security and other matters in Australia.
Unfortunately, in this case, all the experts (and commenters here) seem to be in agreement that security has been significantly weakened by bringing in these laws.
The Labor party here though is afraid of creating any point of difference on anything that could in any way be considered “national security” legislation. So instead of risk a lengthy period over the summer break where they would be attacked if any kind of terrorist attack happened they caved and passed the original version.