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| NEWS > 02 January 2006 |
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Parliament Square protester wi
An anti-war protester who has maintained a permanent vigil outside the Houses of Parliament for more than five and a half years today won a legal battle to continue his demonstration.
Brian Haw, 57, whose protest has been in place since June 2001, was cleared of breaching the Serious Organised Crime and Policing Act when appearing at the City of Westminster Magistrates Court today.
Police had swooped on his prominent Parliament Square demonstration on May 23 last year and seized dozens of placards which officers claimed were bigger than three metres in heigh... Read more
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 Article sourced from
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Brisbane Courier Mail - Queens
02 January 2006
This article appeared in the above title/site.
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One inquiry that never saw the
TWELVE years before the Fitzgerald inquiry exposed systematic police corruption in Queensland, a judicial inquiry was proposed to probe concerns about police interrogation techniques and allegations that evidence was being fabricated.
Secret documents released from the Bjelke-Petersen era have revealed that in October 1975 justice minister Mr (later Sir William) Knox approached Cabinet with a detailed proposal for a judicial inquiry into the enforcement of criminal law in Queensland.
But despite his urging, Cabinet documents released yesterday show the proposal was withdrawn abruptly a week later.
In his submission to premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen and his Cabinet colleagues, Mr Knox said an inquiry should look at ways to prevent the "fabrication of evidence or testimony by police or other persons" and the protection of individuals from "undue pressure" and interrogation by police officers.
It would also investigate whether the police had adequate powers to investigate, interrogate, search and arrest.
Mr Knox wanted the commission to recommend what should be done to ensure "the fair and efficient enforcement of criminal justice".
While the inquiry was not in response to specific allegations, Mr Knox said various submissions had been made that supported a probe into justice in Queensland.
"These submissions relate to suggestions for investigations into methods used by the police in dealing with the public, whether accused of offences or not," he wrote.
"Other suggestions from the Police Union, for instance, are to the effect that inquiries should be held into administration, the promotional structure and generally into discipline and morale."
He was also concerned about the adequacy of police powers and cautioned that if police were "hamstrung" they could make little effort to carry out their responsibilities or attempt to "circumvent the restrictions" and not act with due respect for the rights of people being investigated.
Mr Knox said the commission's inquiries could be conducted as confidentially as required and with reasonable expedition.
He reasoned that as the inquiry was not being set up in response to specific allegations, it was "really immaterial whether it was held in public or not".
He proposed the inquiry report back within two months.
Included in his submission were proposed terms of reference as set out by both the Queensland Law Society and the Bar Association of Queensland.
It was suggested the inquiry look at whether evidence has been fabricated by police, if corrupt procedures had been followed by some police and whether the laws or powers of police officers should be amended to ensure the "proper investigation of offences".
He also suggested the inquiry should be chaired by a judge experienced in criminal law and criminal trials.
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