Australians revolt on terror laws and union rights

John Howard

CANBERRA - Prime Minister John Howard's drive to reshape Australia is struggling against a wave of revulsion at proposed terrorism laws and the overhaul of the nation's industrial relations system.

State premiers have refused to accept "shoot-to-kill" provisions in the latest additions to Australia's already harsh terror laws, backed by public opinion that otherwise supports tighter security measures.

The mood of the nation has turned sharply against proposed industrial laws that would effectively crush unions and strip employees of automatic rights to conditions ranging from paid breaks to public holidays.

Two polls show collapsing support for the Government and a surge for the opposition Labor.

Howard has already seen rebellion within his own ranks - leading to a Government senator voting with Labor to defeat changes to competition law - and may yet see internal dissent crush the industrial package. He also faces the prospect of a constitutional challenge by the states on "shoot-to-kill" and extended powers of detention in anti-terrorism laws.

Last week the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, John Stanhope, released the draft laws on his website following legal advice that key measures did not comply with the requirements of human rights law.

The move broke the Government's demand for secrecy and outraged Howard.

Since then all states and territories have rejected the controversial measures - although approving most of the rest of the package - forcing Howard toward a confrontation over the key elements.

The Government needs the support of the states to ensure uniform national legislation, but the premiers claim the package presented to them was not the one proposed at a special summit to shape new security laws.

Their concerns have been echoed by a range of academics, constitutional lawyers, civil rights and Muslim organisations.

An AC Neilsen poll in the Sydney Morning Herald showed that about three-quarters of Australians agreed with the bulk of the proposed laws, which would allow suspected terrorists or their associates to be detained, held in house arrest, or fitted with electronic tracking devices.

But the poll also showed almost two-thirds of people rejected "shoot-to-kill" provisions.

On the industrial front, Howard's package hangs on the critical vote of National Party Senator Barnaby Joyce, who crossed the floor to defeat competition reforms.

Joyce has not ruled out again wiping out the Government's one-vote majority on an industrial package.

He believes it attacks the right of states to govern themselves by replacing state-based awards with single federal agreements.

A recent Morgan poll found 55 per cent of Australians opposed the proposed laws, with 22 per cent undecided.

Another Morgan poll showed Labor outstripping the Government, giving the Opposition a decisive 53 per cent to 47 per cent lead in the preferential voting system that determines who holds office.

A Newspoll in The Australian reported that, prompted by anger at Howard's industrial plans, voters would have returned Labor to power in a landslide, despite widespread disapproval of leader Kim Beazley.