(State Premier) Bracks voices concern over US activist ( Scott Parkin)

Bracks voices concern over activist

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks has called on the Federal Government to explain why it is deporting US peace activist Scott Parkin.

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today rejected suggestions that political pressure from Washington may have been behind the decision to deport Mr Parkin, whose six-month visa was cancelled on the grounds he is a potential risk to national security.

Mr Parkin is spending his last few hours here in solitary confinement.
He was set to give an activism workshop when he was detained in Melbourne on Saturday.
His lawyer Julian Burnside, QC, yesterday said he would consent to his deportation, but would try to force the Government to reveal its reasons.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/bracks-voices-concern-over-activist/2005/09/13/1126377287950.html
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Activist pressured to leave quietly: lawyer

US peace activist Scott Parkin wants to leave Australia but remains in solitary confinement because the immigration department refuses to deport him, his lawyer said today.

Julian Burnside, QC, told theage.com.au that Mr Parkin had been told by immigration officers that his deportation would be brought forward if he dropped his appeal to the Migration Review Tribunal to find out why his visa was revoked.

Mr Burnside described this as "factually false and legally improper".

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/activist-pressured-to-leave-quietly-lawyer/2005/09/13/1126377300426.html