“The weight of historical evidence of Tamil fundraising activity in Australia and approximately 240 suicide bombings over a period of 25 years should be sufficient to satisfy you” to proscribe the LTTE as a terrorist in Australia says a Senator from New South Wales to the Attorney General of Australia.

Senator Stephen Hutchins states that: Following the recent suicide bombing in Sri Lankan in which the former High Commissioner to Australia, retired Major General Janaka Perera and his wife (both whom I understand were Australian citizens) were killed. I believe it is critical that the Rudd Labor Government take steps to proscribe the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as a terrorist organization under the Security Legislation Amendment (Terrorism) Act 2002.

He has informed the Attorney General Hon. Robert McLelland that: “By proscribing this organization and holding local Tamils accountable we would be sending a clear message that the country does not tolerate terrorism….and that “Thirty three countries have now proscribed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as a terrorist organization. These are not small or obscure nations. They include the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Here is the text of Senator Hutchins’ letter:

SENATOR STEPHEN HUTCHINS
Senator for New South Wales



The Hon. Robert McLelland
Attorney General
House of Representatives
PO Box 6022
Canberra Act 2600

8 October 2008

Dear Robert

Re: Proscription of the LTTE as a terrorist organization

Following the recent suicide bombing in Sri Lankan in which the former High Commissioner to Australia, retired Major General Janaka Perera and his wife (both whom I understand were Australian citizens) were killed. I believe it is critical that the Rudd Labor Government take steps to proscribe the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as a terrorist organization under the Security Legislation Amendment (Terrorism) Act 2002.

It has been common knowledge for years that Australian-based Tamil expatriates have used Australian organizations and businesses as fronts to tunnel money back to the LTTE.

The former Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer openly acknowledged that Australian funds were keeping this bloody war going.

High profile examples included collecting money out of a West Australian Hindu temple and defrauding Australians of millions of dollars in tsunami relief donations.

In August 2007, it was revealed by the Asian Tribune that three Australian radio stations were being used for on-air fundraising. Several cases were documented where a Tamil terrorist leader being interviewed made comments like “We are surviving only because of your contributions…” and”… our boys and girls are fighting the Sinhala enemy who must be annihilated…”

By proscribing this organization and holding local Tamils accountable we would be sending a clear message that the country does not tolerate terrorism.

Thirty three countries have now proscribed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as a terrorist organization. These are not small or obscure nations. They include the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

I am aware that for you to proscribe an organization, you must first be of the belief that the organization “is directly or indirectly engaged in, preparing, planning, assisting or fostering the doing of a terrorist act”.

I believe the weight of historical evidence of Tamil fundraising activity in Australia and approximately 240 suicide bombings over a period of 25 years should be sufficient to satisfy you in this regard.

Only through proscribing the LTTE as a terrorist organization will we be able to empower the Australian government to take appropriate action against individuals who insist on funneling money to this organization.

It is critical that the Rudd Labor Government act now to stop Australian money from being used to fund this bloody conflict.