We believe the recent hysteria about terrorism and security is provoked and orchestrated by powerful forces closely related with the military and intelligence circles. Their aim is to achieve total control of society by eroding our civil liberties and the passing of draconian anti-terrorism laws. These measures will also boost arms (and related “surveillance” equipment) production and provide a huge jackpot for the so-called “defence contractors”. This money will come from nowhere else but social expenditure – we have to convert our nurses into agents, our bread and butter into new space-age weaponry.

The deterioration of international security is provoked by the hard line imperialistic policies of the current American administration and its allies. Foreign military intervention and presence in many places around the globe will continue to generate armed resistance and cost countless lives. When we count these lives we have to include not only our victims, but the victims of others too. We became overwhelmed by the tragedy of September 11, but we seem to forget about the victims of the Americans (since WW2 they have killed millions of people, not all of them terrorists). When they bomb Belgrade, Baghdad or any other place on the globe we pay little attention, since this is becoming routine practice for American politics.

Our unconditional support for Israel or US sooner or later will make us a legitimate target for more “terrorist” attacks, and we all have to share the blame. Before (or even if) this happens we would like to try a new approach based on non-interference, understanding and respect. Our new pacifist foreign policy will change people’s perceptions about us and will help reduce violence – at home and abroad. Before we embark on any new offensive we have to understand Newton’s third law – every action (or use of force) results in equal and opposite reaction.

We shall focus our security efforts on international co-operation with police and other crime-prevention organisations of neighbouring and other countries, rather than spying on them. We shall close all government facilities involved in any kind of espionage or surveillance, whether foreign or domestic. This will include the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), Defence Signals Authority, Pine Gap Base etc.

Today many of our travel destinations are becoming sucked by the black hole of our “War on Terror” alliance. Just like our American, Israeli and many other counterparts we are becoming potential terrorist targets in an ever increasing number of countries around the globe. Soon we may have to replace our swim suits with bullet-proof vests before going on our next exotic o/seas holiday. Our airports are turning into anti-terrorist bases, armed with the latest x-ray machines, scanners, cameras, snuffer dogs, air-marshals, security guards, commandos, etc. costing us (the passengers) billions of dollars. Even if we ignore all security threats, we can hardly survive the sky-high airfares, surcharges, levies and taxes adjusted to accommodate the new and extraordinary precautions.

Contrary to the reintroduction of the “iron curtain” enforced by the past liberal government we shall truly liberalise our visa and travel restrictions. We shall facilitate tourism by expanding our visa-free regime to a larger number of countries, based on bilateral agreements. Such agreements will enable all overseas visitors with no criminal record to stay up to a month without any visa.

Our citizens shall also be entitled to have a lifelong and free passport (instead of paying hundreds of dollars and wasting lots of time for the current ones) which shall be reissued at regular intervals.

Also see: Law and Order; War on Terror