Tougher laws, sky marshals on way for Australia

By GREG ANSLEY

CANBERRA - Armed sky marshals will board domestic flights in Australia this week, amid tough new anti-terrorism measures that include detention without legal representation and jail sentences of up to 25 years.

The 22 new marshals, equipped with low-velocity weapons that can fire without penetrating an airliner's fuselage, will be disguised as ordinary passengers in a further hardening of Australia's counter-terrorism measures since the September 11 attacks on the United States.

Confirmation of their deployment by the end of the week came yesterday as the federal cabinet agreed to further harsh action, spurred by recent revelations that a terrorist captured in India had planned attacks against Australia, and with a second Australian believed to be among foreigners caught fighting for the Taleban.

Australian SAS troops are now hunting Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda fighters with US special forces, and its warships, jet fighters and patrol aircraft are operating with the anti-terrorism coalition.

Defence Minister Robert Hill said Australia might also contribute troops to a short-term, British-led stabilisation force in Afghanistan.

A top-level Government review of Australia's security found that although at present no specific threats are known, the nation's profile as a potential target had risen.

To combat airline hijacking, details of the plainclothes sky marshals' flights will be kept secret, although pilots and cabin crew will be told of their presence.

Officially described as air security officers, the marshals have been drawn from the diplomatic protection agency, the Australian Protection Service, which already operates fast-response counter-terrorism units at major airports.

But while the Government has praised the marshals' specialist training and their selection process - which includes psychological, medical and fitness tests - their deployment has drawn heavy fire from police and aviation bodies.

Police Federation chief executive Mark Burgess said too few details were known.

"We know very little about what is proposed and we know virtually nothing about the training these people will be afforded," he said.

Aviation officials said airlines still had some concerns over the potential use of firearms.

In addition to the sky marshals, counter-terrorism agencies will be handed powerful new legislative measures, provided they gain the support of the Labor Opposition.

Under the proposed new laws the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation would have the power to question people suspected of holding information about terrorism - even if they were not themselves involved - and would be able to hold suspects for up to 48 hours without legal representation.

Attorney-General Daryl Williams said this power would be used only in serious cases, to prevent a terrorist attack.

Officials would also be able to attack terrorism funding, and intercept unread e-mails.

Meanwhile, Australian officials are seeking to interview Adelaide-born Taleban fighter David Hicks, now held on board a US warship, and are trying to confirm reports that a second Australian has been captured with Taleban forces.

The second fighter is reported to be a 25-year-old former soldier, whose discovery among Taleban wounded in a Kandahar hospital was first reported by American radio.

An Australian family has sought diplomatic help in tracking a son who vanished after telling them of his intention to visit Afghanistan. It is not known if this is the same man.

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