Australian Government's War On Privacy & Liberty Goes CRITICAL: The Next Agenda 21 / Agenda 2030 Steps Were Announced Today. Ideas On How We Fight Back.

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It's time to scream from the mountain top again...

I'm no stranger to writing these posts. When the Turnbull government announced additional powers for the military on domestic soil I wrote about it. When The Turnbull government announced the new super ministry that amalgamates previously separated federal law enforcement and intelligence bodies, I jumped on Steemit to voice my concerns. I don't like having to write about these things as I feel they simply shouldn't be happening. Given that that are happening however, I feel that it's very important to communicate what's happening in this country as I see and hear zero discussion about it, let alone backlash.

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Today's announcements...

So I'm happily working away today while listening to ABC Classic FM on the computer. I find it provides a relaxing background for when I'm working at the computer. Soon enough, the news is presented on the hour and my ears prick up as I hear...

Turnbull federal government pushing to double "pre-charge" detention period

Yes, that's right. Not only is it currently the law that people can be arrested and detained in this country without charge if there is a suspicion of terrorism involvement (and let's be clear, this is deliberately a vague and flexible definition) but now the federal government is looking to extend the period of time that people can be detained by the state without charge.

This really is a Tom Cruise pre-crime Minority Report situation.

Currently, the maximum detention periods vary across the states. In some states it's 7 days but in New South Wales it's 14 days. Turnbull wants to impose a national law that imposes the maximum of 14 days detention without charge. To add insult to injury, we're told (get this) that the changes are being proposed simply for "consistency". Oh how fluffy and warm sounding! In the same way that an OCD sufferer would line all the pens up on a desk, we're told that a law that will mean people can be now detained for twice the amount of time that they currently can be without charge (depending on state) is being imposed just to make things all neat and tidy. Give me a break! Could it at all have anything to do with wanting more control over the public and introducing ever more draconian laws to keep people under control? Food for thought.

As I'm digesting that news, the same news bulletin came up with the second of today's face punches...

Possession of "terrorism instructions" to be made illegal

Come again? This is a dangerous and slippery slope as it has to do with controlling access to information and knowledge. So how on earth is "terrorism instructions" to be defined? I'm sure the black and white cases will be paraded in front of the cameras and sold as something that no sensible citizen could argue against. Surely someone in possession of bomb building instructions should be arrested and held for at least 14 days without charge, right?

No. They. Shouldn't.

I have an interest in mechanical things. As a former Army officer, I have an interest in firearms. I may very well google or via other means seek out information on how firearms work, watch videos on the mechanics etc. I have no interest in obtaining a firearm in order to conduct an egregious act of violence on other people but under this new banning, I could be deemed to "be in possession of terrorism instructions". The examples are endless and ultimately it has to do with the prohibition of information as decided by the government. Terrorism is such a broad term it really is something that we should push back against.

If you've not watched Orwell's 1984, I highly recommend it. It's where Australia (and the west) is heading and fast. There are scenes in that movie where information, news, history is erased or modified to comply with the State's interest. Control of information is a very dangerous area for the State to get involved with.

Wow, all of this naferious stuff made me a bit unsettled so I went out to the tea room for a coffee break and what do I see on the TV?

Terrorism Laws: NSW proposes detaining radicalised inmates post-sentence

Now at this point, I had to take a photo because there was so much bad news that I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to remember it all to post about. To be frank, I don't know anything about this terrorism law announcement beyond the title. I haven't even had a chance to research all of these announcements, it's that hard to keep up with it all!

My only comments on this would be that if it's "post-sentence" then surely someone convicted of a crime who has served their sentence is entitled to release, not further detainment. Secondly, again, who defines "radicalised"? I mean that could mean anything so we again have a situation where someone can be presumably detained by the state based on someone's loose terms and definitions. How are people not up in arms about this?

After my lunch I headed out for a walk and once back in the office I resumed my work and my radio listening. Sure enough, there was more in store for me. One of the afternoon news bulletins contained these two further gems...

Australia must not be complacent about gun laws

Yep, there it was. The recent Vegas horror has made it into the political scene in this country already. After the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmainia decades ago now, Australia implemented and retained some of the world's toughest gun laws. Many see this country as the model to follow. After all, a disarmed citizenry makes for little opposition in the face of government tyranny, foreign or domestic. The bulletin caught me unaware as I wasn't expecting to have to make more notes on the this topic so I sadly wasn't quick enough to the pen and post-it notes to catch who made this statement. The statement however was that Australia should look to the recent mass killing in the US as motivation to retain its indescribably strict gun laws.

But the news wasn't done with me yet. The next report was another "Turnbull special"...

Australian federal government to require states to provide drivers' licence photographs of all drivers to federal agencies

Yep, more information collation. Currently federal agencies have access to passport photographs given that passports are issued at the federal level. Driver licencing in Australia however is in the state domain and is managed in a distributed fashion. I kid you not, Malcolm Turnbull was on the radio trying to sell the idea that this move will, you guessed it, combat terrorism. I'ts amazing what can be passed off as combating terrorism. You can read one article on this latest move here.

You may think "what's the big deal, they have our passport photos already". I say that it is a big deal for a number of reasons. Firstly, it sets a trend whereby the federal government can increasingly solicit data on the citizenry that is currently in the custody of either different levels of government or, ultimately, NGOs.

Additionally, the one passport photo is one thing, but drivers' licences will provide more photographic imagery (they are different photos) along with all the associated DMV data that goes with the photo. Of course there's also the argument that it's much, much easier to do without a passport (although I never would) than it is to do with out a drivers' licence. The latter is hardly optional these days. The licence is more than just being about driving, it's a fundamental part of identification these days.

Requiring data to be handed over to the federal government sourced from an issued licence that is hard to live without is a different proposition to holding data on a somewhat more optional document such as a passport.

There was so much Orwellian news happening today I found myself scribbling notes down onto post-it notes at work as I heard the radio news bulletins so that I could write the post.

Where to from here

I honestly don't know but things are getting desperate here. I think we need to start waking up people to the hazards of this path. Please spread this information as far and wide as possible. Awareness is the precursor to action. As to what action that should be, I open the floor. Part of me thinks that voting with my actions is a good approach.... translation leave. Problem is that this is a high cost option and I can't really see many alternatives for the better. This is a somewhat global trend.

Do we start refusing to renew drivers' licences? The penalties are heavy if caught driving without one. Suspension, court, fines and ultimately more serious. Is that where we hold the line? This is not something that we should roll over on but I'm not sure really what can be done to meaningfully protest without risking the ability to transport ourselves and hence livelihood.

Where do you see our efforts best directed? This is a question for you whether you reside in Australia or not. Although Australia seems to be one of the world leaders in the introduction of draconian, Orwellian legislation, the rest of the world wont be far behind.

I hope this post hasn't appeared to be overly negative or biased. I simply tell the tale of the emotion of my day in the context of a bigger and more disturbing trend. Please discuss and thank you for your readership!

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