Based on information in the public domain, it appears that some radical pro-terror groups wish to destroy Western democracy in order to enable their own philosophies to dominate our way of life.
Western democracy is based on the principles of tolerance, individual freedom and rule of law. The dilemma for the modern democratic state is that in order to fight those who wish to destroy the system and values that the majority of Australians hold dear, it needs to compromise the very values it wishes to protect.
Strategies that might be adopted to protect those values include:
· Have all new citizens swear to uphold certain basic principles and values that represent our culture as a condition of citizenship. Any overt or covert attempt to subvert those values will be regarded as a criminal offence and punishable in law. Any resident non-citizen of this country found guilty of such behaviour will have mandatory deportation to country of origin as penalty plus any specific criminal penalties.
· In the short term, the police and authorities should be granted significant additional powers to deal with the terrorist threat within this country. These powers should be strict and unambiguous for two reasons: firstly, to apprehend those who have committed or intend to commit terrorist offences; and secondly as a very clear message to all people (terrorist and non-terrorist) that Australia values its freedoms and privileges and will act unambiguously to protect that which it holds dear.
· BUT, these enhanced powers would be embedded in a sunset clause. The powers will automatically lapse after an agreed period – say two years. At the end of those two years, a bipartisan vote of Parliament can elongate the period for another two years. At the end of the second two-year period, the legislation will automatically lapse. If the Government feels a need to lengthen the legislation for a further two years, then this can only be done through a popular referendum.
The challenge for all of us is to maintain our values and the attributes of our society that make us great, yet eliminate those real threats that promise to take away from us that which we cherish. One can be tolerant and value freedom, while still being strong, forthright and unambiguous about the value we place on our freedoms.