"ASIO was not involved in the decisions to arrest, charge, prosecute or release Dr Haneef."

It also seems the AFP (Aust Federal Police) was supposed to have been told the same thing, but insisted on chasing after him. Sounds more like 'official stalking'.

1) There was quite a strong long term movement to only tell Little Fascist Johnny and his cohorts what it was thought that they wanted to hear (Ah! Deutchland!) - "Children overboard", etc.

2) An election was coming up, and Little Fascist Johnny had a strong "My Law, Your Order" program. Aboriginal heath 'intervention', etc

3) There were claims that the public service (supposed to neutral) had become too right wing and was too active in supporting Little Fascist Johnny.

Re Gough, Hawkie, etc, most people do not realise just how intelligent and educated those guys were (especially in regard to their political opponents of the time) - Oxford Uni, Rhode Scholars, etc