Terry Hicks, father of accused terrorist David Hicks has been nominated for Australia's Father of the Year award.
David Hicks has been locked away in Guantanamo Bay without trial for years after being captured by US troops in Taliban Afghanistan. Terry Hicks has spent these years pursuing the relase or at very least the trial of his son.
Phillip Ruddock believes the nomination is inappropriate and politizes the award. This despite the fact Prime Minister John Howard has won the award.

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Phillip Ruddock believes the nomination is inappropriate and politizes the award. This despite the fact Prime Minister John Howard has won the award.

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Without knowing how Ruddock feels regarding Howards winning of the award the above comment isn`t one that I could possibly rationalize. Perhaps Ruddock also feels that Howard winning the award was inappropriate. Not knowing who nominated Howard I can`t comment on his nomination being political. Knowing that Hicks was nominated by Stanhope who just happens to be a Labour minister tends to lend creedence to the idea that it was a political nomination.

Stanhope has stated

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"To show the enduring and unconditional love and the grace that Terry Hicks has shown in supporting his son, I think is wonderful," he said.

"I think Terry Hicks is an inspiration to all fathers and to all parents and should be seriously considered for Father of the Year.

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. Yes that`s right, the father of the man currently being held on

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charges of conspiracy, attempted murder by an unprivileged belligerent and aiding the enemy.

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has been such a good father.

I believe that the (alledged)sins of the son should be visited upon the father in this particular situation or the fathers of the Cobby killers,Hitler,bin Laden etc could be nominated as well if they all supported their offspring(if they were all Australian citizens that is).

Anyone know if there is any truth to the rumour that instead of being posted Stanhopes nomination notice was instead spraycan painted on a handy wall by his criminal mate Aidan Bruford?

Links to quotes. 1. 2.

I wasnt aware he was nominated by a Labor minister. In that case I'd have to suggest it was a political stunt. Which is kind of a pity. There's little doubt he would win the thing of course. I'm tipping Guus Hiddink!

I don`t agree that Hicks would win. I`ve formed the opinion after chatting with people from all walks of life that the view of most Australians is that his son is an adventurous hired killer, a mercenary. Wouldn`t Australians look like a lot of fools if Hicks was found guilty and our Australian Father Of The Year is the father of a man convicted of aiding the enemy etc?

I do agree with you Kuu that Hicks Jr hasn`t been found guilty, that`s why I used the word alledged. I also cannot see a problem with Hicks seeking justice for his son but I wouldn`t agree that he doesn`t want to see his son found not guilty and freed. What parent wouldn`t in this instance? You haven`t addressed the father of the year question. Do you feel that it would be a good idea to name Hicks Father Of The Year?

It`s obvious that I`m biased in my own view regarding Hicks Jr and really couldn`t care if he rots away in prison, that`s just my apathy regarding fools coming out. Regarding the fairness of the situation I would also be moderately happy for the trial to be started and over and done with as soon as possible, but a fool that trains with the Taliban doesn`t rank high in my "care factor" meter.

This is only a nomination by one man - there is no chance that Terry Hick's would actually end up being "Father of the Year".

As far as David Hick's trial is concerned - I am worried that Australians think is OK he is being tried by Americans for 'crimes' that were committed in Afghanistan (not in the USA) and for 'crimes' that were not against Australian, and possibly not against any international laws, at the time they were committed.

If he has broken any international laws he should be tried at The Hague or somewhere like that.

BTW I don't understand why John Howard was awarded "Father of the Year" when there are many other fathers deserving of the award - for example my brother-in-law who has raised a severely autistic child without complaint.