AFP 'shouldn't be exempt' from scrutiny - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

as was posted here ... AFP 'shouldn't be exempt' from scrutiny - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Federal Parliament's intelligence and security committee says it should not be denied the right to scrutinise the counter-terrorism activities of the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Committee chairman Arch Bevis says it carries out an important role in ensuring intelligence agencies ASIO and ASIS still respect civil liberties while carrying out their secret duties.

He says the law needs to be changed to ensure the committee can examine the AFP in the same way.

"The committee has a key role in ensuring a balance between the security requirements that we all understand and appreciate, [and] laws that might otherwise be seen to transgress civil liberties and basic human rights that we in a democracy hold dear," he said.

The committee's deputy chairman, former attorney-general Philip Ruddock, says the AFP should not be exempt from appearing before the committee.

"It seems to me the AFP is exempt from that role being pursued while other agencies will be subjected to it," he said.

"There is no logic - it is totally inappropriate and I would urge the Government to look very carefully at this report and to reconsider its approach.

"If it doesn't I believe it is being derelict in its responsibilities."