Fed: Sedition law won't curb freedom of speech - Ruddock

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2005
Fed: Sedition law won't curb freedom of speech - Ruddock

PHILIP RUDDOCK has again defended the government's decision to push ahead with a new
sedition law.

He says the measure won't hurt freedom of speech .. as there'll be enough checks to
protect media and political comment.

The attorney-general's told Sky News he hasn't seen cartoons urging violence against
groups of people.

He says it's highly unlikely media comment will be affected by the sedition laws.





After a meeting with coalition backbenchers last night .. JOHN HOWARD says the sedition
provisions of the counter-terrorism bill will remain .. although some technical changes
will be made.

Civil libertarians .. media organisations and a government-dominated Senate committee
have called for the sedition section of the bill to be removed.

Under the measure .. anyone convicted of urging a group to use force or violence against
another group could be jailed for up to seven years.

AAP RTV rp/sb/goc/jv

KEYWORD: TERROR RUDDOCK (CANBERRA)

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