What Australian newspapers say on Monday, December 22, 2008

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2008
What Australian newspapers say on Monday, December 22, 2008

SYDNEY, Dec 22 AAP - David Hicks has promised, one day, to tell his story about "the
hell that was Guantanamo Bay" and he is entitled to have his say, but not for profit,
The Australian says in its editorial today.

As a sign of his goodwill and to fulfil his duty, Mr Hicks should tell the full story
of his recruitment and training to the Australian Federal Police in his exit interview,
it says. "In the interests of terrorism prevention, he should not be allowed to duck this
responsibility.

"Judging by his court hearing, he could have much to tell about guerilla warfare, explosives,
weaponry, surveillance, commando tactics, grenade and sniper training.

"Full co-operation with authorities would be the best way Mr Hicks could show his determination
to start a new life."

The Sydney Morning Herald says Labor has been housing a growing number of boat people
everywhere on Christmas Island but in the new $400-million, 800-bed detention centre built
for the job.

With the number of boat people reaching 164, Minister for Immigration Chris Evans has
relented and opened the detention centre, which is a big improvement on the odious "Pacific
solution" devised by Alexander Downer that warehoused asylum-seekers outside Australian
territory and Australian law.

"That this facility has become necessary was both inevitable and predictable."

The Keating government introduced mandatory detention with bipartisan support, and
it still has bipartisan support, the newspaper says.

"Tough rhetoric does not maintain the integrity of Australia's borders. Immigration
detention centres exist not merely to detain but to deter."

Sydney's The Daily Telegraph says about 80 police stations are equipped with Tasers,
but they are not carried by officers on duty.

Moreover, many officers are not even trained in Taser use, despite working at a Taser-equipped
station.

It's now to bite the bullet on Taser use, the newspaper says.

"Authorities must start a rapid training program for officers in Taser-equipped stations
and, moreover, Taser use should be expanded to include equipping police cars and officers
with the devices."

Tasers have been used by police in many countries from as long ago as the early '90s.

Their functioning and effectiveness are well known and require little further study.

Melbourne's Herald Sun welcomes news that the Victorian government has promised to
get tough on rave-party organisers after the GHB overdoses on Saturday night.

St John Ambulance treated more than 30 of about 2000 revellers at the X-Qlusive party
at Festival Hall. Twelve were taken to hospitals, and 13 made their own way to emergency
departments.

The debacle suggests an especially dangerous batch of the drug is on our streets, the
newspaper says.

"Not for nothing, GHB is known colloquially as GBH - "grievous bodily harm" - because
that is what it can cause.

"The ruthless criminals who cook and peddle it think nothing of the harm it can do."

Melbourne's The Age says the Howard government's immigration policy - exercised via
offshore detention centres such as Nauru, and at other places such as Baxter and Villawood
- wrought a profoundly adverse impact on detainees, as well as besmirching the country's
human-rights reputation.

The Rudd government has made several important policy changes that, while not overturning
mandatory detention, at least has made it less punitive, as well as shifting the premise
from adversarial to more humanitarian grounds.

"The government has also abolished temporary protection visas, eased mandatory detention,
and shut down the processing centres on Nauru and Manus Island.

"At the same time, however, the government has been careful to avoid justification
of Opposition claims of going soft on its immigration policy."

Brisbane's The Courier-Mail says Queensland premier Anna Bligh's determination to cut
spending in the face of falling state revenue does not appear to apply to a new range
of "mini-perks" the state's politicians -- especially ministers -- seem to not just require
but demand.

Why should taxpayers contribute $30 a month to pay for fresh supplies of bottled water
in ministerial limousines? Or the $435 annual Qantas Club partner membership fees for
the spouses of ministers so that they, too, can enjoy the lavish lounges and complementary
drinks and food?

The appropriateness and need for perks, mini or otherwise, should be questioned.

Politicians should ask restraint of themselves before they make the same plea to the
public. "At the very least, they should buy their own bottled water and put their hands
in their pockets for their own sandwiches."

AAP gr/rs

KEYWORD: EDITORIALS

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