THE ACT Greens are proposing the ACT Government remove preventative detention from counter terror laws, which currently allow the state to detain people without explaining the crime they are suspected of committing, on the basis that conventional criminal law is a better way to address terrorism.

The ACT Government this week will move to extend the operation of the Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Act 2006 for another five years beyond the original sun set date of November 19.

“Preventative detention does not sit easily within the Australian legal system because it allows the state to detain people without explaining the crime they are suspected of committing,” ACT Greens spokesperson, Shane Rattenbury said.

“This is an unnecessary intrusion into freedoms that we have long respected.

“We would be better off relying on the conventional criminal law approach of formal arrest and charge. These powers allow for a preventative approach to terrorism but from a much more robust and respected legal footing.

“Lawyers and academics who specialise in this area are very clear that conventional criminal law provides all the powers necessary to respond to terrorist threats.”