Those professional protestors struck it rich in Bracks' Victoria when laws prevented police from defending Victoria against the protestors, but an out of court settlement allowed the protestors to profit from alleged brutality.
So what is Iemma soaking? When APEC begins, there will be some really bad behaviour displayed by these professional protestors who all seem to support ALP.
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* Haneef, a man with terrorist ties, has been given a court win when the Government Visa withdrawal was overturned. A doctor with Al Quaeda ties can profit from practise in Australia.
* Abu Bakar Bashir loses a legal challenge against Indonesian anti terror squad.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Iemma Spending Our Money
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Mohamed Haneef visa decision: Kevin Andrews to appeal
from news.com.au
IMMIGRATION minister Kevin Andrews has said the Federal Government will appeal against today's court ruling overturning his decision to cancel Mohamed Haneef's visa.
Federal Court Justice Jeffrey Spender earlier ordered that the Indian doctor and former terrorism suspect should have his working visa returned.
"When I made the decision to cancel Dr Haneef's visa, I made it in the national interest and I stand by that decision," Mr Andrews has said this afternoon.
"I have instructed the Australian government solicitor to lodge an appeal."
Cancelled
Mr Andrews cancelled Dr Haneef's visa on character grounds last month, saying he had a reasonable suspicion Dr Haneef had "associated" with terrorists.
He referred specifically to Dr Haneef's second cousins Kafeel and Sabeel Ahmed, both allegedly involved in failed bomb plots in the UK in June.
In today's ruling, Justice Spender said the minister had used the wrong test in cancelling the visa.
He said Mr Andrews should have cancelled it on the grounds that Dr Haneef was a person of interest to UK authorities and that he had been charged with an offence.
He added that the minister may not be able make a decision on those grounds now.
More training
Dr Haneef's lawyers appealed the decision and at a hearing in the Federal Court at Brisbane on August 8, they argued for his visa to be reinstated so he can continue his physician training at the Gold Coast Hospital.
They disputed the minister's use of the word "association" and questioned whether any relationship with an alleged criminal, even an innocent one, would be enough to justify a visa cancellation.
Solicitor General David Bennett QC, told the court "association" in the minister's usage, was more like "mates" to the average Australian.
He said not only had Dr Haneef given his mobile phone SIM card to Sabeel Ahmed when he left the UK last year, but he had borrowed money from Kafeel and stayed with the brothers for a short time.
Dr Haneef still wanted to return to work in Australia, his lawyer Peter Russo said today.
Mr Russo said he spoke to Dr Haneef, who is still in India, last night.
"The main issue is what he wants to do in the future," Mr Russo said on ABC radio. "And it's his wish to return to Australia to continue his studies."
However, Mr Russo said there were some issues with that.
"The main issue is that he doesn't have a visa, but the other issue is that perhaps his family may not think that it's the wisest thing for him to do."
- from The Courier-Mail and AAP
Haneef's family happy with visa decision
from news.com.au
THE family of Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef has welcomed today's court decision in Brisbane to reinstate his work visa.
But Dr Haneef's relatives said any celebrations would be kept on hold until Australian authorities decided whether to appeal the ruling.
"Haneef is happy and so is the entire family," said Imran Siddiqui, a cousin of the doctor's wife who said he had been nominated to speak on behalf of the family.
"We are very gratified by the decision of the court."
Federal Court judge Justice Jeffrey Spender today quashed a decision by the Federal
Government to cancel the former Gold Coast-based doctor's work visa.
However, any return of the visa will be delayed at least until next month, after Justice Spender gave Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews 21 days to respond to his ruling.
Earlier today, Mr Andrews indicated an appeal was likely.
Mr Siddiqui, who travelled to Australia last month to escort Dr Haneef back home said he hoped the Government would not appeal.
"If they do appeal, the case will drag on."
Dr Haneef had been advised by his legal team to "keep quiet" until Australian authorities decide whether to appeal, Mr Siddiqui said.
Bashir loses terror squad case
from news.com.au
A LEGAL challenge by hardline Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir against Indonesia's elite anti-terror squad has been thrown out of court.
Bashir, often cited as the spiritual leader of regional terrorist network Jemaah Islamiah (JI), had sought to have the counter-terrorism unit, Detachment 88, disbanded.
The squad has been central to a string of high-profile arrests of terror suspects in recent months.
Bashir's class-action lawsuit alleged the squad was discriminatory because it only targeted Muslims.
It also claimed Detachment 88 members had tortured suspects.
But a panel of judges, sitting in the South Jakarta District Court, today dismissed the matter.
The decision was greeted by chants of "infidel" and "foreign puppet" by around 60 Bashir supporters who packed into the court, wearing black t-shirts which read "warrior".
Chief Judge Wahyono said the challenge "did not fulfil the formal requirements".
"Because of that ... the charge is dropped and the examination is stopped," he said.
He said the group had not made a demand for compensation, nor had a proper description of the group been offered, something required for a class action in Indonesia.
Detachment 88 has made some high-profile arrests in recent months, severely damaging JI's power structure.
Among those captured were JI leader Zarkasih, 45, and Abu Dujana, the head of the network's military wing.
Outside the court, Bashir attributed the court's ruling to the work of "foreigners".
"It is my obligation as a Muslim to fight the evil of Detachment 88, but it has to be through the legal process," he said.
"If it doesn't work, my last effort would be to complain to God and let God deal with it."
Bashir's lawyers said a letter would be submitted to the Supreme Court seeking clarification on the decision. The possibly a further court challenge remained open.
"Other efforts still can be done, especially about the treatment (Bashir) is the victim of," lawyer Achmad Michdan said.
"That's possible because in law, violations by some people in Detachment 88 have exceeded their capacity mandated by law.
"Our main goal is that we want this institution to be independent. But in fact, this institution is what foreign countries want."
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