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Post by masterplan200 on Sept 15, 2005 1:31:11 GMT -5
US peace activist has been removed from Australia this morning on the grounds that he is a threat to national security.
Activist Scott Parkin left the country this morning bound for Los Angeles.
Mr Parkin was arrested on Saturday after intelligence agency ASIO decided he was a threat to national security.
His lawyer, Erskine Rodan, says he cannot find out why his client was arrested.
"It's very difficult to get an answer," he said.
Mr Parkin's supporters gathered at Melbourne Airport this morning and are holding peace workshops at Parliament House in Canberra. They want to know why he was arrested.
Former intelligence analyst Andrew Wilkie met Mr Parkin's supporters at Parliament House.
"This is another sign of the Government's national security agenda frankly out of control," Mr Wilkie said.
Mr Parkin's supporters say he was in Australia to conduct peace workshops.
'Political deportation'
Greens Senator Bob Brown put a motion to the Senate condemning Mr Parkin's arrest, but the motion was defeated.
"This is a political arrest, and a political deportation," he said.
"The Government will, of course, not come out and give the true reason, which is its connections with the Bush administration."
Senator Brown has requested a briefing from ASIO but that has been refused.
"I believe it was refused because there is no good reason for this deportation of an American citizen who advocates peace," Senator Brown said.
The Department of Immigration says the 35-year-old teacher's removal from Australia will not affect his ability to travel internationally in the future.
Yesterday, Mr Parkin's lawyer said the activist had agreed to his removal on the grounds that he could still appeal against the decision.
His lawyer said Mr Parkin wanted to go home to be with his family.
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Post by belfastdon on Sept 15, 2005 10:19:21 GMT -5
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Post by masterplan200 on Sept 15, 2005 20:52:30 GMT -5
Just adds fuel to the Australian deporting row already going on
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