Kerry Nettle (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I, and on behalf of Senator Stott Despoja, move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes:

(i)

that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting was held in Sydney in the week beginning 3 September 2007 and that this event cost more than $300 million to stage, and

(ii)

that the security operation involved:

(a)

overzealous policing methods, including the violent arrests of journalists, an accountant and numerous peaceful protestors,

(b)

intimidatory video surveillance of members of parliament and the community,

(c)

rifles being pointed at the people of Sydney in low-flying helicopters and by rooftop snipers,

(d)

freedom of movement being curtailed throughout Sydney by police,

(e)

the prohibition of people entering parts of Sydney, based on unsubstantiated police accusations and secretive blacklists,

(f)

police discouraging peaceful dissent against APEC through unnecessary shows of force, including police dogs, water cannons, deployment of the riot squad and the disproportionate show of force,

(g)

police not wearing name badges, and

(h)

the suspension of fundamental legal principals such as the presumption of innocence, presumption in favour of bail, and the requirement of reasonable suspicion to conduct personal serarches, and

(iii)

the statement of the Prime Minister (Mr Howard) backing the conduct of the APEC security and police operations; and

(b)

calls on the Government to:

(i)

immediately apologise to the people of Sydney, who have had their civil liberties and freedoms suspended by APEC, and

(ii)

support an independent inquiry into the conduct of the New South Wales police and others involved in the security operation during APEC.

Question put.