AFP adopts counter-terrorism guidelines

(AAP) Three leading counter-terrorism agencies have created prosecution guidelines in the wake of a series of bungled investigations.

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said the rules would help the Australian
Federal Police (AFP), ASIO and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions
cooperate on counter-terrorism cases.
"Other key measures include inter-agency training and secondment arrangements
between the AFP and ASIO," Mr McClelland said.
The prosecution guidelines are one of many recommendations being implemented by the
intelligence community following an AFP-ordered review.
If followed, they may help the police avoid debacles similar to the botched
investigation of Mohamed Haneef.
Dr Haneef was arrested in Brisbane last year over suspected links to botched
terrorism attacks in Britain, and detained for 12 days without being charged.
He was charged on July 14 but the case against him collapsed. The charge was later
withdrawn, and Dr Haneef was subsequently cleared of wrongdoing.
Mr McClelland also touched on an opposition plan to appoint an independent reviewer
of the 44 counter-terrorism laws introduced since the September 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks on the US.
The government is considering the proposal which could come before the Senate before
the year is out. It is part of a wider look at how the government is fighting
Islamic militants.
"Recommendations about improvements to the operational or procedural frameworks
which support Australia's counter-terrorism laws are also being considered," Mr
McClelland said.
"That examination might include, for example, the way law enforcement powers are
applied, or the procedure for processing of national security information in court
proceedings."