Posted on 09/14/2005 7:43:19 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
THE deportation of US activist Scott Parkin has taken place, with the Department of Immigration confirming he was put on a plane out of the country this morning.
Peace protesters had gathered at Melbourne Airport early today in anticipation that he was about to be kicked out.
Waving signs saying "Thanks for your non-violence, Scott" and "Peace is the Word", the protesters had hoped to get access to Mr Parkin before he was forced to leave.
A supporter, Iain Murray, said it was ludicrous that Mr Parkin, a 36-year-old history teacher, was considered a threat to Australia.
"The only threat that Scott could represent is a threat of embarrassment and exposure of a government that has supported the war on Iraq," Mr Murray said.
"There's about as much evidence of Scott representing a threat as there's been evidence found of weapons of mass destruction."
Meanwhile, Australian Greens senator Bob Brown said he had been denied a briefing from ASIO on the arrest and expulsion of Mr Parkin.
Senator Brown today moved a motion in the Senate to have the Government publicly explain the reasons for deporting Mr Parkin and allow him to stay in Australia on a tourist visa.
But Labor and the Government voted against the motion.
Senator Brown said Opposition Leader Kim Beazley and Opposition homeland security spokesman Arch Bevis had been granted briefings on the issue, but he had been refused.
"This is not a police state ... this is a democracy," Senator Brown said.
He said he believed the Government had a responsibility to tell the public why Mr Parkin had been deported.
"The Howard government's use of covert police operations to arrest, harass and expel an innocent man who campaigns for peace is dangerous and threatens Australia's freedoms," Senator Brown said.
Opposition manager of business Senator Joe Ludwig said Labor had opposed the motion because it did not support the public release of security sensitive information.
Australian Democrats senator Natasha Stott Despoja said her party had also asked for a briefing on the process of deporting Mr Parkin but was refused.
Senator Stott Despoja said a detailed explanation was needed.
Under the laws governing ASIO, the Opposition must be given a briefing on such issues but there is no compulsion for minor parties to be briefed.
The Aussies got wise and kicked the left wing commie out. Cheers to the Howard government.
Hell, we all want peace. What these mush for brains activists are willing to give up in order to obtain peace is too much. And of course even if they did get their way, there wouldn't be peace. We would just be destroyed.
No, no, no, it's "Grease is the word", ya dummy!
He's headed here? Oh, goodie.
Great, but now he'll be here...
From what I read, this guy is the only kind of American that the current Aussies like. Is this true?
Are they still harrassing American students out of Australian universities?
I'm not sure what you're getting at.
The overwhelming majority of Aussies regard Americans with great affection.
I am sure the Australians called and there will be some "people" there to greet him when he comes off the plane.
Also, there is no way in hell he was so publicly kicked out of the country without concrete proof he was a threat.
Let him come home and maybe something nice will happen to him like getting his tail kicked by police when he organizes violent anti-war protests.
FRANCE needs another Clown, send him there.
It's too bad no one took him 'shark fishing' on the Great Barrier Reef.......
He has a blind date with Cindy.
Dam-, now that tune is stuck in my brain:)
Peace through superior fire power....
The POS was a guest who quickly wore out his welcome. I don't blame the Australian government for taking out the trash.
Fair suck of the sauce bottle!!!!
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