Terrorism arrests - moving from the political to the judicial

But reactions on Muslim Internet forums and Muslim community radio have demonstrated just what a difference a concrete result can make.

Whereas support for previous raids was as rare as a pork chop in a mosque, this time the response is markedly more considered. A few are even predicting that in the long run Tuesday will mark a positive turning point for Australian Muslims. They want the scourge of terrorism eradicated more than anyone else, and are likely to feel much more comfortable about the conduct of the police if a fair trial produces conviction.

Of course, there will still be a conspiratorially minded fringe that insists this is all some spectacular political stunt; that it is a manifestation of some indiscriminate governmental crusade against Muslims. And this sort of allegation has not been confined to the Muslim fringe either. Similar rumblings could be heard from within the minor parties this week from Greens Senator Bob Brown and Australian Democrats leader Lyn Allison.

It's time for the conspiracies to stop now, guys. I'm no fan of the Howard Government either, but if there is genuinely a conspiracy against innocent Muslims, pressing charges and handing control to an independent court would be the most stupid thing authorities could do. Nothing would be more politically disastrous than an acquittal and it would simply not be worth the risk when authorities could keep raiding with relative impunity, without pressing charges.

Unless you believe, on zero evidence, that the courts are not independent, this matter has moved from the political realm to the judicial.

Surely, the fact that prosecutions came from last Tuesday's raids should please even the most diametrically opposed observers. Surely the only reasonable response is to say: "Bring it on. What is there to be afraid of? Let the truth come out. Let justice prevail."