Freedom of association or guilt by association: Australia's new anti-terrorism laws and the retreat of political liberty

Combined effects of new and proposed legislation in response to perceived security concerns following the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks in the US, highlights the vulnerability of democratic values and rights of political participation in the face of anxieties over issues of national security - the new anti-terrorism laws constitute a substantial threat to existing rights of political association in Australia - no demonstrated need to define terrorism in such a way as to strike at the heart of democratic rights and infringe basic freedom of association.