By Heath Gilmore
CONVICTED terrorism supporter David Hicks has been living in Sydney for a fortnight in his bid to start a new life.
The man described by a federal magistrate last month as capable of committing a terrorist act has been given special dispensation to leave South Australia.
The Sun-Herald understands that Hicks, 32, has been living with a female friend at Abbotsford, a waterfront suburb in Sydney's inner west.
He has obtained a learner driver's licence and has been seen driving around the suburb in the company of a female friend, with L-plates attached to his car.
Hicks's lawyer, David McLeod, said the former Guantanamo Bay inmate was being mentored by Australian adventurer Dick Smith, who campaigned for a fair trial for the South Australian during Hicks's five-year detention.
"David has developed a close relationship with Dick Smith," Mr McLeod said.
Friends insisted Hicks's time in Sydney has not been spent talking with publishers and media companies to sell his story but was part of the process of getting his life back together.
Yesterday an Australian Federal Police spokeswoman confirmed the man authorities tried to portray as the most serious threat to Australia's security has been living in Sydney.
Hicks had earlier sought and received approval from the federal police for the location of his stay.
It followed federal magistrate Warren Donald's decision on February 19 to ease the conditions of his release from jail which had restricted his activities to South Australia. It is understood that Hicks flew to Sydney the day after the magistrate's ruling.
"The AFP is aware that Mr Hicks is travelling in Sydney," the spokeswoman said. She said he had complied with the obligations set out under the control orders.
These conditions included reporting to a police station in Sydney's inner west twice a week.
A night curfew, from 1am to 5am, had been imposed.
The crime manager in Burwood has been appointed as Hicks's liaison officer. Hicks carries the officer's business card in case he should encounter difficulties or be in need of help.
Yesterday NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas said the force had been co-operating with the federal authorities. He confirmed that Hicks had been reporting to a Sydney police station.
"This is really the federal police's baby. We are just helping out," Deputy Commissioner Kaldas said.
Hicks is believed to have scheduled a return to Adelaide this weekend. Supporters are staying tight-lipped about any return to Sydney.
Mr McLeod said his client had received widespread public support since his release from Adelaide's Yatala Jail. He had been the recipient of well wishes from the general public.
Asked about the identity of the female supporter seen in Mr Hicks company in Sydney, Mr McLeod said his client had many friends.
Terry Hicks declined to comment on the whereabouts of his son.
"I can't say anything at the moment," Mr Hicks said. "The kid has his own life to live."
As part of his conditions of release from Guantanamo Bay, Hicks agreed not to speak to the media on a range of issues before March 30 this year. His control order will expire in December this year unless the federal police apply to have it extended.
Hicks had been in custody since December 9, 2001, when he was captured among Taliban forces in Afghanistan. He was transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he was held for more than five years, mostly without charge.
On March 27 last year, he pleaded guilty at a controversial United States military commission to a retrospectively created charge of providing material support for terrorism. Under a plea bargain, Hicks was handed a seven-year jail sentence with all but nine months suspended.
He was released from Adelaide's Yatala Jail on December 30 last year.
Mr Smith refused to comment when contacted yesterday about the relationship with Hicks.