WE ALL HURT FOR SECURITY

GOLD Coasters will support steps taken by the Prime Minister and state leaders to strengthen counter-terrorism measures.

Our city has known since June, when the Bulletin revealed facial recognition technology was to be deployed on our public transport network, that it was about to enter a new era of hi-tech security.

Events in recent months and indeed in Las Vegas this week have shown how dangerous this terror-stricken world can be. But for our city – where the eyes of a sizeable part of that same world will be turned when the Commonwealth Games begin – whatever threats emerge will not come from the posturing of a nucleararmed despot to the north, but more likely a deranged loner or small group.

The leaders yesterday backed Malcolm Turnbull in a push for nationally consistent laws to hold terror suspects for up to 14 days without charge, and for photos of every driver to go to federal authorities for an automated facial recognition system.

We all understand the need. What will raise eyebrows though is the attitude of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in dismissing civil liberty concerns as a “luxury’’. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also thinks we should all be comfortable about being profiled.

Both leaders misread the public. People understand the need and will wear it for the sake of a safe Games, but that does not mean they are relaxed. Civil liberties remain a right, not a luxury, and although the “rights and freedoms of a small number of people’’ might be curtailed to keep the majority safe – as Mr Andrews put it – in fact those rights of every Aussie are diminished each time such measures are taken.

People would be a lot more comfortable if leaders made a big deal about sunset clauses to restore rights once threats pass.