Lawyers refuse to
undergo new security clearances .....

Lawyers representing a group of
men charged under the Federal Government's anti-terrorism laws say they
may go to the High Court to fight a requirement that they undergo security
clearances. 

Up to 50 lawyers representing the
men are refusing to submit to the clearances that are required under the
new laws. 

Federal Attorney-General Philip
Ruddock says it is essential that in cases of national security, lawyers
are subject to such checks. 

He says they are letting their
clients down. 

"In expressing their
unwillingness they're leaving their clients exposed, that would be the
concern I would have, they have a duty to their client to give them the
best defence possible." he said. 

But barrister Lex Lasry
disagrees. 

"It's a significant invasion
of people's privacy, it's unnecessary." he said. 

"It arms the executive arm
of government with information about individual lawyers who are defending
in terrorist cases that has at least the potential to be misused."