Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

What we know now is that, in the 21st century, there is a person who has been secretly charged, secretly sentenced and secretly imprisoned in Australia. When asked in the Senate to provide further information, the Attorney-General's representative in the Senate has either refused or been unable to provide any further meaningful information. This is a shocking example of secrecy and abuse of state power and our descent into a police state. It is yet another argument for a charter of rights in Australia. Open justice is critical to the rule of law, which in turn is critical to our democracy. There is no reasonable conclusion to be drawn from this matter other than that we are living in an authoritarian state. I have to ask: what has and is our country coming to?