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On this episode we take on the new counter terror laws introduced by the Australian government, the National Security Amendment Bill (No.1). We raise civil liberties concerns, mention that the laws had bipartisan support – there was no opposition from the “opposition”, and also highlight the impact the laws will have on the media (even mainstream journalist Laurie Oakes has gone rogue and criticised the laws!). To further the discussion on the effect the laws will have on the media, we play an interview with journalist Tony Serve. This interview is from Indymedia on RTR92.1FM and Tony is interviewed by Karun Cowper and Caroline Smith. We encourage people to follow Tony on Twitter @perthtones, as well as following Karun @karun777 and Caroline @Cas_Flaneuse.
We also discuss Australian troops entering Iraq (you can hear Antony Loewenstein on Australian troops returning to Iraq on episode 67). There has also been direct action against this – anti-war protesters recently entered a military base in Victoria to disrupt this invasion. These activists faced brutality from the soldiers there. To find out more about this action, go to the website swanislandpeace.org and follow #SIPC14. We mention that Abbott is up in the polls as hysteria about terrorism provides a distraction from the budget and other important issues, such as domestic violence. We finish the episode by talking about the hashtags #HeyASIO and #stopdataretention, as well as the role of social media generally in putting forward alternative ideas to those promoted by the mainstream media and the government. Shout outs to Critical Transit podcast, Antony Loewenstein and the Melbourne Street Medic Collective.
This episode is brought to you by “Comrade Clare”. You can hear Clare on episode 8 discussing refugees and episode 26 talking about vegan cats. Thanks a lot to Clare for becoming a member of our show – you can become a member and sponsor an episode too.
Clips:
1984 audiobook, Sneaky Sound System ‘1984’, Robert’s Productions ‘Censor Beep’, Mad as Hell ‘Series 4, Episode 2’, Interview with journalist Tony Serve from Indymedia on RTR92.1FM – by Karun Cowper and Caroline Smith, Austin Powers, Mad as Hell ‘Series 4, Episode 2’, Mad as Hell ‘Series 4, Episode 1’, The Office (UK) ‘Series 1, Episode 2’, Colour Me Wednesday ‘Shut’.
You can listen to a short (6 minute) version of this episode, which features our discussion on the hashtag #HeyASIO and the role of social media generally in challenging the new counter terror laws introduced by the Australian government, here: Hey ASIO. You can subscribe to these short versions of our episodes through Omny.
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