Aust ministers risk defamation action, Terry Hicks says

"The father of Australian Guantanamo Bay inmate David Hicks says government ministers could be sued for defaming his son before he was charged with any offence.

"The threat by Terry Hicks comes after a US federal court this week halted the military trial of another detainee.

"News that the military tribunal is now being questioned in the US courts has apparently buoyed Mr Hicks, whose son has been accused of fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

"Speaking at a human rights forum in Brisbane, he described the Australian Government's treatment of his son as disgusting ...

"Australian Council of Civil Liberties president Terry O'Gorman says David Hicks would have a good defamation case against the Federal Government, if he is acquitted ...

"If it goes ahead, Hicks's military trial is scheduled for January.

"Earlier, Mr Hicks said Attorney General Philip Ruddock is 'strange' for not accepting the US court decision halting the trial of another Guantanamo Bay detainee.

"Mr Ruddock said he does not believe the decision will impact upon Hicks, but Terry Hicks says Mr Ruddock needs to listen to the judge's ruling.

"'All along he's been saying these tribunals and hearings are quite just and fair but now all of a sudden the American court system is saying, "no, it's not fair",' Mr Hicks said.

"'Philip Ruddock seems to stick to his guns and says "yes, it is fair". So why is he going against an American court?'"
Source: the World Today

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