Australian Guantanamo inmate's father up for award

CANBERRA, Aug 5 (Reuters) The father of Australian Guantanamo Bay inmate David Hicks has been nominated for the country's ''Father of the Year'' award, angering the Australian government which said it was being used to score political points.

Hicks was detained by US forces in Afghanistan in late 2001 and has been in custody in Guantanamo Bay since 2002, where he is awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy, attempted murder and aiding the enemy.

His father Terry Hicks has led a four-year campaign to have his son either face trial or be set free, but Australia, a close ally of the United States and with forces still fighting in Afghanistan, has refused to seek his release.

Jon Stanhope, head of the local Australian Capital Territory government -- which has authority over the national capital Canberra -- said Terry Hicks was an inspiration to all parents.

''To show the enduring and unconditional love and the grace that Terry Hicks has shown in supporting his son, I think is wonderful,'' Stanhope told Australian radio on Saturday.

But Australia's Attorney-General Philip Ruddock, who has long campaigned against allowing David Hicks to return home, hit back at Stanhope and said the nomination was not appropriate.

''I don't think politicisation of the programme of nominating outstanding fathers of the year is a good way to go,'' Ruddock said on Saturday.

The Father of the Year award, to be announced on Sept. 1, is an annual award to recognise a high-profile person who is seen as a good role model for fathers, either through support for their family or the community.

It is run a by the Shepherd Centre charity, which raises money to help deaf children, and is administered by a council made up of prominent Australians and community leaders.

Previous winners include sportsmen and military leaders, as well as Prime Minister John Howard and former conservative Australian prime ministers Malcolm Fraser, William McMahon and Robert Menzies.

REUTERS AKJ BS1028