The Haneef Debacle.

[Matilda]

The Government and the Australian Federal Police, aided unfortunately by the Labor Opposition
(but opposed by the Greens and the Democrats) continues to blunder along with one error (or lie)
after another being exposed by the lawyers acting for Mohamed Haneef.

It really does look as if Haneef has either been the victim of a major AFP bungle, for which
they're incapable of apologising, or he's been deliberately set up - as a pre-election stunt for
Howard?

It's a shame that Rudd is doing a Beazley on this one - after Hicks, we might have been forgiven
for thinking that the Opposition would start asking some hard questions, but no, it's "me too"
all over again, as the Government tramples all over human rights and our basic rights as citizens
in its desire to find terrorists on Australian soil. I say "our" rights, because an Indian with
a Muslim name is an easy target, but it could happen to anyone who gets up Howard's nose.

Green Left Weekly has a good summary of what's happened so far

"The decision by immigration minister Kevin Andrews to throw 27-year-old Indian doctor Mohamed
Haneef into immigration detention - despite a Queensland court granting Haneef bail on charges of
"recklessly" (meaning not deliberately) supporting terrorism - has further exposed the Howard
government's utter disregard for civil rights and the judicial system, and the dangers inherent
in its "anti-terror" laws."

http://www.greenleft.org.au/2007/718/37300

[Esra Star]

1. I don't think it is a purposeful stunt by any party. But.....

John Howard knows that gifts appear and to not recognize them can be non-advantageous.
It has quickly come down to some secret information. There is the obvious
parrallel with Joe McCarthy here.
Kevin Rudd's position is understandable.
His worst position would be "let him go he's OK" and then have the "evidence"
produced after he has walked into the trap.
He has stated that he is only going along IF he is being told the truth.
Kevin is very focussed on keeping between his opposition and the finish line.
If he can do that, the Libs will be the Opposition after the election.
There is a ways to go yet though.