The government is still being shamefully intractable and shitty about David Hicks.

Despite an independent report saying that "it would be virtually impossible for Adelaide-born Hicks to receive a fair trial under the current flawed arrangements" of the Gitmo Military Tribunal, Philip Ruddock can't see "any reason why Australia should be arguing for Mr Hicks to be dealt with before an American civilian court."

Can't see any reason to intervene on his behalf. Or to even raise the issue with the authorities who captured, detained and charged him. Nuts. I mean, he's not even prepared to go for a coffee and casually mention, "Hey, you're an Attorney-General, and I'm an Attorney-General. Wacky innit? Say, what's your position on fair trials?"