among the federal and

state governments

over tougher laws in

the light of the threat

of terrorism is reassur

ing.

There are concerns

that the proposed new

laws are an exagger

ated response to the

threat.

Those concerns ex

tend to claims that vi

tal aspects of civil

liberties in this coun

try are being with

drawn.

Given how import

ant the freedoms of

this nation are to the

wonderful way of life

we enjoy those con

cerns, if they are valid,

are understandable.

But the security that

Australians have also

enjoyed for so long is

now looking a little

less guaranteed and it,

along with the free

doms, are what have

made life here so com

fortable.

If that security is

under threat, as it ap

pears Prime Minister

Howard and the prem

iers are convinced it is,

then tough action to

attempt to preserve it

is warranted.

It is an unfortunate

trade-off and one that

many, particularly

from the left of poli

tics, would be reluc

tant about accepting.

But the last thing

any leader in this

country would want

now is for there to be a

terrorist attack if

nothing had been done

to try to prevent it.

The Prime Minister

accepted a sunset

clause of 10 years on

the planned new laws,

there will be a review

after five years and

they will be kept in

check by courts.

That is appropriate

and will make the com

promise on civil

liberties more accept

able to most Austra

lians.

There will continue

to be complaints from

those deeply concerned

about protecting civil

liberties and they

should be heard and

considered.

Those people, how

ever, should also con

sider that the society

is entitled to protec

tion and its elected

leaders are obliged to

ensure that is pro

vided.

Those leaders can

only act on the very

best advice available.

By the very nature of

counter terrorism only

very few people will

understand the extent

of the threat.

The ideal result will

be a continuing secure

nation and an effec

tive, but largely non-

intrusive, application

of the new laws which

will mean all law abid

ing citizens of Austra

lia can continue to live

in safety and freedom.