National security and the 'disturbed state of public mind'

The Australian government’s Anti-Terrorism Bill (No 2) 2005 authorised the Australian Federal Police to use control orders and preventative detention in dealing with suspected terrorist threats. Although Australia had experience with preventative detention and control orders during both world wars, this historical perspective did not figure in debate over the legislation. Klaus Neumann examines the historical precedents and looks at the very different debate in the United States