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Parkin launches Federal Court challenge
Tuesday 13 December, 2005: US peace activist Scott Parkin has launched a Federal Court challenge in a bid to quash the security assessment that led to his detention and forced removed from Australia.
Challenging the continued secrecy surrounding the reasons for his treatment, Mr Parkin called on Attorney-General Philip Ruddock to "play fair" by detailing the allegations that led to his detention and removal.
"The head of ASIO has admitted that I was not violent and the only specific claims made against me - that I advocated throwing marbles under horses' hooves - have been dismissed by the Inspector-General of Intelligence Services," Mr Parkin said.
"The IGIS report acknowledged that keeping the accusations secret was, effectively, a denial of natural justice.
"Despite this, there has been no information released to me, my lawyers or the public to explain how I was treated."
Mr Parkin said that he was pursuing the Federal Court action in an effort to clear his name and protect others from similar treatment.
"This isn't just about me and my rights, it's about the right that all people have to know they won't be locked up without a reason and to know what they are accused of if they are," he said.
"When convicts were sentenced to transportation to Australia, at least they knew what they were accused of and could defend their name in court. Until Mr Ruddock tells me what I'm supposed to have done, I don't even have that small consolation."