More than sixty per cent of Australians are concerned over Australia's Anti-Terror Laws reveals a survey commissioned by Amnesty International Australia and conducted by Roy Morgan.

The survey reveals that 95% of Australian voters place great importance on their own human rights and in fact many falsely believe that their rights are protected under a national bill or charter or rights.

While 93% of Australian voters are aware of the new anti-terror legislation, the majority (74%) only have a little or no knowledge of their own rights under these new laws. A high proportion of respondents were aware of their right to access a lawyer of their own choice (90%) and the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty (95%) under general criminal law. However, the majority of respondents were not aware that these rights were not available under the new anti-terrorism laws.

On being informed of the rights impinged by the new legislation, more than two thirds of Australians surveyed fear the threat to their own human rights under the new legislation and 31% are extremely concerned about the legislation.

"This survey shows that the Australian Government has been very successful in ensuring Australians are aware of its new anti-terror laws", said Katie Wood, Amnesty International Australia's Human Rights and Security Campaign Coordinator.

"But it shows that the Australian Government has failed to do its part in also ensuring Australians are fully informed on what the anti-terror laws mean for the rights of all Australians."

"The survey shows that Australians want human rights protection and that they want to be protected from the threat of terrorism, but not at the expense of their human rights," says Katie Wood.

"The Australian Government must revise or repeal its recent anti-terror laws, which fall far short of international human rights standards. At the very least, there must be a parliamentary review to scrutinise the full impact of these laws on our human rights."

The survey conducted in late July 2006 is part of Amnesty International Australia's Human Rights and Security Campaign.

To arrange interviews, contact Amnesty International Australia: + 61 2 9217 7620 or 0422 869 439.