Hicks home soon, says Downer

Australian soldiers were siezed by Iran and held for five years in conditions which according to ALL human rights organisation were tantamount to torture would John Howard be happy. If these sailors were then put through a sham trial and forced to confess would he feel vindicated. By allowing this for David Hicks he has given every despot government his blessing to do the same to any Australian anywhere.

Posted by: Gary Dargan 3:56pm today Darn right I say.

Nothing to stop his father writing a book, and good on him. A couple of the statements from the trial that should be in the the book giving more detail, Sold his gun for a taxi ride back to Pakistan and while looking after the tank had his lunch delivered daily by a 'fat man on a bicycle' (suggested chapter heading 'Meals on Wheels') As for any chapter dealing with Howard and his 'Gang' suggested heading 'The Mouse that Roared'

Posted by: Jwmcd of Perth 1:55pm today

Grow up everybody. Anti-Howard, Anti-Bush, Anti-US anti-Liberals it doesn't really matter. The REAL point is, guilty or not, we have witnessed an Australian citizen (one of us) being held WITHOUT charge for five years. He has the same rights as all of us. How the world has changed in the last few years. This is a sad day for all of us. R.I.P. our international rights as Australian Citizens.

Posted by: Darren of Newcastle 1:49pm today

Hicks home soon, says Downer

4:32pm: DAVID Hicks, today sentenced to nine months detention, will return to Australia to serve his time in an Adelaide jail "much sooner" than initially thought.