By Elena Jeffreys
and John Curran
PERTH — Western Australia's attorney general, Peter Foss, has commended the Surveillance Devices Bill 1997 to the upper house. The government of Premier Richard Court would like it passed there before Christmas.
The bill extends police powers to allow the installation of listening devices, optical recording devices and tracking devices "in the public interest". The bill's definition of the public interest "includes the interest of national security, public safety, the economic well-being of Australia, the protection of public health and morals, and the protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens" — all at the discretion of your friendly local police officer and magistrate.
Recently, police justified the release of a bashed man's HIV status to the media because it was "in the public interest". While the man's name was not released, specific details of the bashing were, making identification possible. They did not ask the man's permission.
Under the new bill, privacy becomes a right defined by the moral code of the government, judiciary and police. In a state where male homosexual relations under the age of 21 are illegal, discrimination on the basis of sexuality is legal, and the smoking of marijuana is illegal, this will translate into no privacy rights for a huge proportion of the population.
Groups affected include gay people, petty drug users, political activists, prostitutes, people committing crimes of poverty and unionists.
WA juvenile laws contravene United Nations charters on the treatment of children. Premier Court recently stated that the failings of families are to blame for the crime rate. The scapegoating of youth for society's problems will be extended into their private lives through this legislation.
The bill is a gross invasion of privacy and will legalise the Court government's systematic oppression of many groups in society. A briefing paper on the bill is available from the Greens (WA) through MLC Giz Watson's office on (08) 9201 0582 (ask for Elena Jeffreys).