The Defence Minister's announcement that he needs new laws to allow the government to call troops out on to the street was rejected today by Greens Senator Kerry Nettle as being totally unnecessary.

"Like the terror laws passed last week, new laws are not needed. The Government is intent on invoking the fear of terrorism in the community as a distraction from its new regressive industrial relations laws," Senator Nettle said.

"In September 2000, the Government passed laws to enable them to call troops on to the streets and give the army the powers to cordon off areas, stop, search and detain people, and shoot to kill.

"The Greens amendment to put a sunset clause into this legislation in 2000 was defeated - so these powers remain.

"The Greens opposed these laws in 2000 and oppose them today because these powers can be used against civil protests and industrial action.

"The Greens believe that the Government should focus their efforts on reducing the risk of terrorism and start withdrawing Australia's troops from Iraq.

"Troops on the streets legislation is more scare mongering by the Government," Senator Nettle said