Its the state of our times - everything in hyperbole. We are paranoid about terrorism and want to act tough, very tough. In such an atmosphere cases like these are bound to happen and the only way to avoid these from occurring is the adm. ought to be absolutely honest and press a little more sceptical before airing it. Is it possible with round the clock news and everyone wanting to be the first with the expose? Its bound to be tragic some time - for the innocent victims like Dr. Haneef, the helicopter chasing press in the US and the politicians like Mr. Howard for orchastrating their credentials for being tough.

C'est la vie!

Rajeev Mehta, Auckland, NZ

Perhaps we should lock up every Irish Catholic, Muslim and Tamil Tiger just in case, because terrorist acts have been committed in their names.

Better safe than sorry eh Bill!!!???

Booger, Melbourne,

IIn my opinion, there is no smoke without fire! The Australians did wel in arresting him as there appeared to be a link between Dr. Haneef and his terrorist cousins. Why did he give his sim card to them. They should be glad to be rid of him from Australia - at least they don't suffer fools gladly.

Why should he be compensated. The Astralians were ony doing their job, which is more than one can say for the British authorities, who let in all the terrorists in the first plae.

Mike Joseph, Ilford, Essex, England

The Liberal party has ended up with serious egg on their faces, and once more our PM is declaring that he knows 'nothing' and the fault lies elsewhere. If the opposition leader, Kevin Rudd, had of spoken sooner, Howard would simply have shouted 'WEAK ON TERRORISM!' across the party floor and effectively belittled the opposition. As it is now, Howard is scrambling to find somewhere to blame for the appalling incompetence in the Haneef investigation. Maybe he should look in a mirror.

David, Melbourne, Australia

You can't fight terrorism, in whatever form, when both hands are tied behind your back. Australia is the first country to stand up and be counted in this regard - so good luck to them in their efforts.

trevorjd, Torbay, Devon

You're far too kind. This was nothing more than a sleazy attempt by the Howard government to manipulate the case and blacken the name of a man against whom there was no substantial evidence for its own political purposes.

We'll now be in for an extended period of blame shifting, denials, and claims from senior ministers that they really had nothing to do with any of this as they were far too busy doing the crossword.

It is, after all, the same corrupt crowd who were quite happy to overlook $300million in illegal bribes to Saddam Hussein until they were found out. Not one resignation or apology for that little episode either.

Peter, Perth, Australia

Of course it's mildly embarrassing - but they didn't shoot him seven times in the head and then invent false 'evidence' about his behaviour; they didn't kidnap him and put him on an 'extraordinary rendition' plane crewed by CIA goons and their pet electric-wiring specialists; and they haven't imprisoned him in chains in an illegal concentration camp in Cuba.

eric, harrogate, uk

Well done Mr Beatie. Shame on the rest of the Oz politicians and tyrrants.

Sathyamoorthy, Birmingham, UK

Racism leads to miscarriages of justice. They have happened in Howard's Australia just like they happened in Nazi Germany.

Howard and his cabinet should read "To Kill a Mockingbird" again, and this time try to learn from it.

Khurshid Zaman, St. Petersburg, Florida

Kevin Rudd has been smart. He has not allowed himself to get wedged by a Government that is rodent-like in its attempts to find such an issue. Furthermore, when the case fell over - as it was sure to do - he knows the flak would be at the door of Andrews and the other clowns that orchestrated this mess.
I'd have liked to see Rudd take a stronger stand - but the fact that he didnt - and couldnt afford to - shows you how low howard has set the bar in this country.
We have a PM that wilfully uses the goodwill of the aussie way (to defend an innocent bloke and get to the truth) to find a political gain. What a rodent.

Antony, Melbourne, Victoria

Executive Power has again been shown to be a threat to society through its misuse. It is about time the Migration Act was reviewed so that the courts have more say on issues of fairplay and basic justice for all Australians.

Dolph de Sousa, Perth, Western Australia

Howard is playing politics with human rights and his new ill-considered anti-terror laws, and his ministry is interfering with the role of the judiciary by overriding legal decisions.

The whole exercise is a political beat up by the Howard government as an election stunt.

At the very least Andrews should resign. Howard needs to take responsibility for this too - he cannot credibly just wash his hands of the affair given it had his imprimatur.

Peter Campbell, Melbourne, Australia

It appears to have been an attempt by John Howard to take over the title of " poodle of George Bush"' recently relinquished by Tony Bair.

Karma Geddon, Naya Nangal, India

I the AFP and DPP are to blame for this then the minister responsible should be sacked.

This is a shameful episode in our history.

Robert Byrne, Blue Mountains, Australia

I'll kick things off Jameel.

I am ashamed of my government's actions and apologise to Dr Haneef for the unjust way in which he was treated.

My only consolation is that the government will be gone by the end of the year.

Nick, Melbourne, Australia

Apologies are in order. Starting with the Australian PM down to the last bumbling Keystone cop in AFP, every one should eat humble pie.

The innocent doctor should be compensated handsomely for his unjustified incarceration and the AFP made to bear his legal costs. Punitive costs should also be imposed on the stupid investigators who got carried away and saw a terrorist under every rug and behind every door.

Jameel Ahmed, Bangalore, India.