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Selected Works

The Hon Justice Matthew Palmer

2002

Terrorism

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“Counter-Terrorism Law”, Matthew S. R. Palmer Nov 2002

“Counter-Terrorism Law”, Matthew S. R. Palmer

The Hon Justice Matthew Palmer

I suggest that there is no conceptually distinct and coherent body of law we can sensibly call counter-terrorism law.
Terrorist actions are a global problem that must be tackled firmly and effectively. Legislation is a powerful symbol of commitment to do that. And, while the causes of terrorism must be addressed using multi-prong strategies, the acts of terror themselves must be dealt with by the law. But terrorist actions are the same as criminal actions; the difference is that they are politically motivated. Motivation can affect the penalties that are imposed on offenders, but motivation itself is not sensibly the …