MAMDOUH Habib could lose any money paid to him for selling the story of his detention, with the Federal Government signalling it would use laws designed to seize money from criminals to scrutinise his future media payments. Habib is expected to be besieged by media outlets willing to buy his story when he returns to Australia from Guantanamo Bay within two weeks, with some agents already touting six-figure sums on behalf of TV networks and publishers. However, Attorney General Philip Ruddock said he had asked lawyers to advise him on whether the new Proceeds of Crime legislation could be used to stop Habib profiting from his ordeal - despite returning home a free man. "There is potential for the legislation to cover this," Mr Ruddock said. "If he is paid for his story on his treatment in Guantanamo Bay, the Government will examine closely the implications."If obligations do arise, the Government will seek to enforce the legislation."At issue is a clause in the legislation that allows for a person's assets to be confiscated if he is deemed to have committed an indictable offence in a foreign jurisdiction. One of the more likely bidders, the Nine Network's 60 Minutes program, yesterday confirmed it was keen to air the former Sydney cleaner's story, but said its own legal advice echoed that given to the Government. Executive producer John Westacott said Habib's ordeal since his capture in October 2001 was "important to the national history". "This is a story that reflects the political views of the country and it should be treated in that regard," he said.
| A "60 Minutes" story supporting terrorists, who'd a thunkit? |