Fed: Army to withdraw shoot to kill policy if defence bill pass

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2000
Fed: Army to withdraw shoot to kill policy if defence bill pass

The army promises to withdraw archaic protocols directing soldiers to take out individual
demonstrators with shots to the chest or stomach if new laws pass in parliament.

The proposed legislation will clarify the role of the armed forces in quelling terrorist
violence and dispersing crowds and is expected to pass parliament this week for next month's
Olympics.

Defence force Military Law Centre director MIKE KELLY says the laws have been in the
pipeline for the last couple of years to replace the procedures established after the
1978 Hilton bombing.

The current Manual of Land Warfare directs troop commanders assisting police to quell
demonstrations and riots to shoot, only as a last resort, after two warnings shot.

It manual says initial shots should be directed at individual protesters by sharpshooters,
aiming at the visible mass trunk area.

The manual says the nominated rifleman shall aim in such a way as to disable the person
and avoid causing injury to innocent bystanders.

If the legislation is passed the manual will get completely redrafted and revised.

AAP RTV kmh/mfh/alt/jn

KEYWORD: OLY DEFENCE MANUAL (CANBERRA)

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