Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

Senator Maurice Hayes refers to murder but the definition of terrorism in the Bill is much broader. To respond to the Minister's points, if we used the word democratic in the legislation it would refer to our understanding of democracy. We consider this to be a democratic society and our judgment would be that democracy includes free elections in which people have the right to put themselves forward and run. We have certain restrictions but they must be reasonable.

We would surely judge by our standard of democracy. The term "a government" is used in the legislation and we must make a judgment as to what constitutes a government. Why not "democratic" too? The most important feature of our democracy is that if we are not happy with a Government's performance we can decide not to re-elect it. We also have an Opposition that can make a Government accountable in Parliament. That is the type of democracy by which we would make the judgment.

I do not condone murder but in determining a person's acts as terrorism under this legislation one must also consider the situation the person faces. It may be necessary to go beyond the form a protest might take here to bring a government or monarchy to account on a particular issue. I am not referring to killing people or other violence but the definition of terrorism in the legislation could be interpreted more broadly.