At first glance, the use of water cannon and stadium prisons during the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit suggests Australia has become a police state
Nothing could be further from the truth. The Howard government values human rights. The measures will ensure workers and students can assist Asian and Pacific leaders to devise a just economic peace.
That won’t happen if bankers, currency traders, fund managers, bullion dealers and economists disrupt APEC with economic rationalism.
Graham Macafee (Australian Financial Review 30 Aug 07).