Civil libertarians criticise Australia's anti-terror laws

CANBERRA - Civil libertarians have attacked the federal government's latest security crackdown, warning Australia is heading down the path of a police state.

Prime Minister John Howard has unveiled tough new anti-terrorism regime for Australia, featuring extra security cameras, tougher jail terms for inciting violence and fines for leaving bags unattended at airports.

Terrorist suspects could be electronically tagged and held without charge for up to two weeks, while police and spy agencies would be given more scope to investigate threats.

Federal police and the ASIO will also be given greater powers under the plans which will be put to state and territory leaders at a summit later this month.

But civil libertarians have attacked the plans.

"These are the sort of measures you see in regimes like apartheid South Africa and are not the sort of things you should see in a free and democratic nation," Australian Council for Civil Liberties spokesman Cameron Murphy said.

Mr Murphy said a person who left their bag at an airport should be given a warning, not fined, but persistent offenders should be prosecuted.

Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network convenor Waleed Kadous said the laws would be open to abuse, particularly against Muslims.

"The laws are very open to abuse and the police don't have a great record on freedom from corruption in Australia," he said.

But Mr Howard said the changes were needed to protect Australians' way of life.

"I think they are overwhelmingly essential, but they on their own cannot guarantee this country will not be the subject of a terrorist attack," he said.

- AAP