Stand up over Parkin

I AGREE with Jim Reiher’s letter (Gazette, 21 September) protesting the treatment of American Scott Parkin.
His detention and deportation are a concern, as are some of the proposed antiterrorism laws.
As citizens we must keep aware of what our government is doing. A common theme in Parkin’s case and a number of new laws is absolute secrecy from the public.
It is already illegal for someone who has been detained by ASIO to speak out about their experience.
Does this mean our government does not believe Australians have a right to know what they are doing and why?
These days we all seem prepared to label one another left, right, us, them.
Perhaps instead we could think carefully about people, including Parkin, and the laws that are being enacted in our name.
Were it our family member who was treated in that way (perhaps on holiday, rallying with likeminded friends in the US) … would we find it acceptable?
Or, as could happen under recent laws, if our nonviolet but outspoken activist son or daughter were suddenly arrested, and detained without any explanation, would that be okay?
If we believe in freedom of speech, the right to know why we are being detained and government openness and accountability, then we need to think carefully and decide what Australia stands for.
To do that we also need to ask whether the laws are proposed to unnerve us into not thinking carefully about their nature.
B.E. Cooke,
Nar Nar Goon North.