Hicks hearing won't allow evidence from torture: Ruddock

Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock says the United States military commission which David Hicks is expected to face has made it clear it will not accept any evidence obtained through torture.

He says his personal view that sleep deprivation may not be torture is irrelevant in the context of a military commission trial.

Mr Ruddock says evidence obtained by the deliberate use of sleep deprivation would normally be inadmissible but generally the condition is not seen as torture.

"Sleep deprivation is ordinarily not regarded as torture," he said.

"Now if in relation to the military commission process, which is really what we're talking about, the conduct that is engaged in, is regarded by the military commission to be torture, it won't be admitted."