THE confessed terrorism supporter David Hicks should be given a fair go when he is released from an Adelaide prison this morning, but he should make a genuine apology for his conduct, politicians say.
When the 32-year-old father of two is released from Yatala prison, he will be a free man for the first time since he was captured with Taliban forces in Afghanistan six years ago.
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, yesterday said Hicks "should be treated no differently to any other Australian citizen in these circumstances".
"Our expectation of Mr Hicks is he would comply with the requirements which have been imposed upon him."
Mr Rudd's comments were supported by the US military spokesman Commander J.D. Gordon, who said justice had been done.
Hicks's father, Terry, said his son was "looking forward to finally stepping out into the open. All he wants is to get out and try and get some sort of normality."
Hicks was sentenced to seven years' jail, with all but nine months suspended, after pleading guilty to providing material support for terrorism.
As part of a plea bargain struck with US authorities he forfeited the right to appeal or sue the US government and agreed to a 12-month gag preventing him from speaking to the media.
However, Hicks is expected to make a statement today through his family or lawyers. His father said it would include an apology for the "inconvenience" he had caused and would thank supporters who had lobbied for his fair treatment.
The South Australian Premier, Mike Rann, said Hicks should use the opportunity to make an unconditional apology.
"All of us want to see David Hicks turn his life around," Mr Rann said yesterday. "We have heard he intends to make an apology and we hope that, if that is the case, it's a genuine and unconditional apology."
Hicks is also subject to an Australian control order, which includes a midnight to 6am curfew and reporting to police three times a week.
Hicks's former military lawyer, Major Michael Mori, said the control order was unlikely to worry Hicks, who survived detention at Guantanamo Bay for almost 5½ years, mostly without charge.
"Compared to the rigours of Guantanamo Bay, [complying with a control order] will not be a challenge for him," Major Mori said.
"The real challenge will be the media hounding him."
The Opposition Leader, Brendan Nelson, said most Australians believed Hicks had served his time and should now be treated like any other citizen. "As he is an Australian citizen, I feel most Australians will say, 'Look, give the guy a fair go.' "
AAP and Ian Munro
South Australian Premier Mike Rann.
South Australian Premier  has said that David Hicks, a convicted terrorism supporter, should apologise unconditionally to the Australian public for his actions.

Hicks, who was released from  in , was expected to make an apology upon release, but his lawyer read a prepared statement instead. He spent six years at Guantanamo Bay before being convicted of providing material support to terrorists.

Mr. Rann says it would be appropriate for Hicks to apologise.

"Rather than working for the Taliban, I think it's appropriate for Mr. Hicks to make an apology to the people of Australia," Rann stated.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said that Hicks "should be treated no differently to any other Australian citizen in these circumstances".