[JURIST] The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) [official website] presented a report [text] to the Australian Parliament [official website] Wednesday recommending [ALRC press release] that references to the term "sedition" in the new Australian anti-terrorism laws [ANS materials] be removed. The ALRC report presents the group's conclusions after a five-month inquiry. ALRC President David Weisbrot said that continued use of the word is misleading because the public otherwise supports the aim of the new legislation:

We found that there is a real problem in the current law's continued use of the word "sedition," which is historically associated with stifling and punishing criticism of the established authority. Once you get beyond the term, there is support for the basic thrust of the new offenses.

The Report recognizes that free speech and robust political debate are cornerstones of Australian society. The feedback we've received during our consultations makes it plain that we need a clear distinction in the law between free speech and conduct calculated to incite violence in the community—which properly should be the subject of the criminal law.