MOSCOW, September 21 (RIA Novosti) - New anti-terrorism legislation is set to be brought before Australia’s parliament next week following the largest counterterrorism operation in the country, AFP reports citing George Brandis, the country’s attorney general.
“The government has gone about this task of re-writing Australia’s national security legislation for the first time in a generation… to ensure that the agencies have all the powers that they need to keep Australians safe without in anyway diminishing the oversight by parliament and… without in anyway diminishing protections,” he said, as quoted by AFP.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan stated that the new laws will “modernize” the existing ones, the Australian reports.
The legislation, which enjoys bipartisan support, will allegedly give greater powers to law enforcement officers and security service agents to tackle extremist groups, like the Islamic State.
Under the new law, police will be able to covertly search homes of individuals suspected of being involved in terrorist activities. Radical preachers charged with inciting violence could be sentenced to a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Additionally, people, who travel to locations where the government believes terrorists are active, could be prosecuted if they fail to provide reasonable explanation for their visit.
Senator Brandis tried to dispel fears that the new legislation is targeting Muslims. “This is a law of general application, it’s not directed at any section of the community,” he said, as quoted by the Australian.
On Thursday, Australian authorities arrested 15 people thought to be preparing a terrorist act, possibly a beheading. Only one man, Omarjan Azari, 22, remains in custody. He reportedly planned to commit a crime that would “shock, horrify and potentially terrify” ordinary Australians, according to the prosecution. Over 800 police officers were involved in the biggest anti-terrorism operation in the country.
Up to 60 Australian nationals are believed to be fighting alongside the Islamic State. Moreover, a few dozen Australians are estimated to have joined Taliban and al-Qaeda.
