Fed: Bolkus disappointed with Williams' response to ASIO changes

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Fed: Bolkus disappointed with Williams' response to ASIO changes

CANBERRA, Dec 4 AAP - Attorney-General Daryl Williams' reaction to a Senate committee'srecommendations on proposed new powers for Australia's spy agency was kneejerk and disappointing,Labor said today.

The Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee handed down a report on the billlast night, recommending limits on certain proposed powers for ASIO (the Australian SecurityIntelligence Organisation).

The planned powers would allow ASIO to seek a warrant to detain and question peoplefor up to 48 hours to investigate terrorism.

Suspects could be detained for up to seven days if the proposals are cemented into law.

The legislation was referred to a Senate committee for investigation in October amidwidespread concerns in the parliament about its far-reaching powers.

A spokeswoman for Mr Williams said it was unlikely the government would accept thecommittee's recommendations, echoing comments the attorney-general made on ABC radio today.

The Senate committee's chairman Nick Bolkus described Mr Williams' reaction as disappointinggiven the government senators on the committee had unanimously agreed to 24 of the 27recommendations.

"Daryl Williams this morning I think has given a knee jerk reaction, one that I thinkis totally disappointing," Senator Bolkus said.

"He hasn't had time to digest the report.

"It's important that he, as senior legal officer of this country, to ensure that hecomprehensively assessed what is in this report and what is recommended," Senator Bolkussaid.

"The fundamental difference between the model proposed by the Senate committee andthat of the government is that we're moving from a secret detention regime to one whichrecognises that there is a gap in our investigative system at the moment," he said.

"ASIO can have the extra power of seeking out intelligence in a questioning regimebut more importantly ... we've decided that there should be a structure imposed on thequestioning regime to ensure that whatever happens is done in accordance with Australia'sspirit and tradition of democratic rights."

AAP sm/apm/bwl

KEYWORD: ASIO BOLKUS LEAD