Home → Current news → Prominent Australian questions Government on Iraq war and terrorism

Prominent Australian questions Government on Iraq war and terrorism

Thursday 19 October 2006

Richard Woolcott AC, an advisor to eight Australian Prime Ministers, has criticised the Australian Government over a range of issues including the war in Iraq, and the weakening of civil liberties and Australian democracy.

Mr Woolcott delivered a speech at the University of Newcastle's 2006 Human Rights and Social Justice Lecture - 'Intolerance, Terrorism and Fear - The Legacy of 11 September and the Threat to our Values, Rights and Liberties'.

The former Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Australian democracy was not functioning as it should.

"I believe it is affected by hubris, the arrogance that comes from 10 years in power and the politics of fear, nurtured by the so-called 'war on terror' and latent racism," he said.

"While a sound economy is important, Australian citizens need to address a range of moral and philosophical questions beyond material comfort.

"The government has suffered from a lack of patience and humility and tends to treat its critics - even those who have served it in the past - as virtual enemies rather than as possibly useful channels to community opinion."

Mr Woolcott said the Iraq war had been a disaster.

"It has substantially increased the terrorist threat Mr Howard said it would reduce. The invasion of Iraq and its continuing occupation have raised Australia's profile as a terrorist target.

"Australians' civil liberties are being undermined in the name of protecting them from terrorism. Our reputation is being damaged with David Hicks rotting in Guantanamo Bay for nearly five years without trial.

"Australia's most valuable assets are the skills and knowledge of our people and education should be the Australian Government's highest priority in shaping the future.

"We should waste less public money on defence against unspecified threats and spend more on education, research, health and the conservation of our environment and water resources."

Mr Woolcott is available for interviews on Thursday 19 October.

Listen to the speech here
A copy of the speech is available for download here.

Contact: Katie Porritt at the University of Newcastle on 02 4921 5120 or 0418 445 888.