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ADELAIDE - The father of confessed terror supporter David Hicks says the demonising of his son continues with concerns over community safety following his release from prison.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann has written to Prime Minister John Howard raising concerns over the ongoing security issues and has
asked if the federal government will move to place a control order on Hicks.
Mr Rann also has promised to introduce legislation into state parliament if necessary to stop the 31-year-old from selling his story.
But Hicks' father Terry today said his son would not be a security threat once released from jail and just wanted to get on with his life.
"The demonising of David Hicks is still going on, more so now from the state government than the federal government," Mr Hicks told ABC Radio.
He said the state government now appeared concerned that David Hicks would "wreak havoc" once he was released.
But, he said, that was the last thing on his son's mind.
"David wants to get on with his life, he wants to finish his schooling, he wants to try and catch up with his family and just move on," Mr Hicks said.
In his letter to Mr Howard, the SA premier raised what he said were grave concerns over the safety implications associated with Hicks' release into the Adelaide community.
"I therefore seek your urgent advice as to the measures the commonwealth government has approved or is contemplating to ensure appropriate levels of protection of community safety and security," he said.
"I am sure you will agree that the South Australian government and the South Australian public have a right to know about the conditions applying to Hicks' release."
In particular, Mr Rann questioned if the federal government would seek a control order over Hicks under 2005 terrorism laws.
He also promised to pass legislation stopping Hicks profiting from any book on his exploits even though he supported a person's right to tell their story.
But, Mr Hicks said his son had no intention of writing a book.
"At this point in time, that's the furthest thing from David's mind," he said.
But he also questioned the motives of both the state and federal governments in trying to block the move.
"What are they frightened of?" he said.
"Are they frightened that David is going to name people in relation to how the government has looked after him."
Hicks, 31, will be transferred to a South Australian prison by May 29 to serve a nine-month jail term after he pleaded guilty to a charge of providing material support to terrorism.
The rest of his seven-year sentence was suspended after he spent more than five years in US military detention at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba before facing trial.
Two correctional services officers from South Australia will travel to Cuba to escort Hicks back to Australia.
- AAP
