5 years now for David Hicks

John Howard should listen to Brigadier McDade, director of the Australian Military Court, on the treatment of David Hicks and all parliamentarians should back the Greens Bill to remove recognition of the US Military Commissions.

John Howard should listen to the advice of our top military prosecutor rather than the prolonged excuses of the increasingly troubled Bush Administration.

David Hicks has been held for over five years now, in terrible conditions and with no prospect of a fair trial. The Brigadier is spot on in labelling his treatment 'abominable'.

It is not good enough for the Prime Minister to shift his rhetoric slightly. He can and should act by picking up the phone and calling George Bush to ensure David Hicks is brought home.

The Greens have introduced a Private Members Bill that would remove recognition of the flawed US Military Commissions from Australian law. Government backbenchers have an opportunity to signal their discontent about inaction on Hicks by voting for this bill when Parliament resumes.