Ruddock strikes again.
When it comes to sheer manipulation of public opinion and fear-mongering Phillip "Stop calling me Monty Burns" Ruddock is in a class of his own.
The curfew on Jack Thomas can only be described as an evil bloody payback by a pack of law-hatin' mutants.
Let's look closely at the practicalities of this situation. Thomas would have to be the most famous person (or second most-famous behind Hicks) accused of being a terrorist in Australia. Does anyone think any potential terrorist group would want anything to do with "Jihad" Jack? Why would any wannabe terrorist blow their cover by associating "Jihad" Jack? Say what you want about militant Muslims, but let's not pretend they are that stupid.
And look at the wording of the court order. Thomas isn't allowed to contact Al Qiada. Does anyone seriously believe Thomas still wants anything to do with bin Laden's loony bunch of extremists? And do you really think he is so unbelievable dumb that he would try and contact terrorists with the AFP looking at his every move?
Ruddock's action have got nothing to do with public safety. They are a smokescreen for the AFP's incompetence and a tactic to keep people scared. For this he is willing to detain people acquitted of any crimes.
In Australia, Ruddock can accuse people of being a terrorist, get a court order (how many judges are going to say no), and take away someone's freedom. And those accused have no right to argue their case before they are locked up. It's third world despot stuff which is open to cynical political abuse.
So Jack Thomas is now a prisoner in his own home from 12pm-5am. And channel 9 showed half of Melbourne the house Thomas will be locked up in every night. How long before some nutjob vigilantes take action?
On behalf of Jack Thomas, his wife and their small children can I just say, thanks a fucking lot Channel 9 and Phillip Ruddock.