en more power to its police and will allow searches without a warrant.
Attorney General Robert McClelland said the law review would allow security forces to conduct searches if they believe bombs, biological agents or other items posing an imminent danger are on the premises.
"As the events of recent weeks demonstrate, terrorism continues to pose a real and significant threat to Australia and Australian interests both here and abroad," said McClelland.
The Attorney-General on Thursday briefed the federal parliament on the new changes that will enable the police to raid the homes of terror suspects without needing the approval of a judge. The period during which security forces can re-enter premises in emergency situations has been extended from 30 minutes to 12 hours.
Moreover, the reviewed law also seeks to make it more difficult for suspects to be freed on bail. The amendments come a week after five Australian men were charged with plotting a suicide gun attack on a Sydney military base.
Authorities in Canberra have gradually extended police powers to detain terror suspects following the 9/11 attacks.
Human rights groups and law experts have strongly criticized the new measures, saying they will sweep away fundamental legal safeguards.
Friday, August 14, 2009
DTN News: Australia Toughens Anti-Terror Laws Amid Threats
DTN News: Australia Toughens Anti-Terror Laws Amid Threats
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) CANBERRA, Australia - August 14, 2009: As Canberra faces a "significant threat" of attack by homegrown militants, the government has giv
en more power to its police and will allow searches without a warrant.
Attorney General Robert McClelland said the law review would allow security forces to conduct searches if they believe bombs, biological agents or other items posing an imminent danger are on the premises.
"As the events of recent weeks demonstrate, terrorism continues to pose a real and significant threat to Australia and Australian interests both here and abroad," said McClelland.
The Attorney-General on Thursday briefed the federal parliament on the new changes that will enable the police to raid the homes of terror suspects without needing the approval of a judge. The period during which security forces can re-enter premises in emergency situations has been extended from 30 minutes to 12 hours.
Moreover, the reviewed law also seeks to make it more difficult for suspects to be freed on bail. The amendments come a week after five Australian men were charged with plotting a suicide gun attack on a Sydney military base.
Authorities in Canberra have gradually extended police powers to detain terror suspects following the 9/11 attacks.
Human rights groups and law experts have strongly criticized the new measures, saying they will sweep away fundamental legal safeguards.
en more power to its police and will allow searches without a warrant.
Attorney General Robert McClelland said the law review would allow security forces to conduct searches if they believe bombs, biological agents or other items posing an imminent danger are on the premises.
"As the events of recent weeks demonstrate, terrorism continues to pose a real and significant threat to Australia and Australian interests both here and abroad," said McClelland.
The Attorney-General on Thursday briefed the federal parliament on the new changes that will enable the police to raid the homes of terror suspects without needing the approval of a judge. The period during which security forces can re-enter premises in emergency situations has been extended from 30 minutes to 12 hours.
Moreover, the reviewed law also seeks to make it more difficult for suspects to be freed on bail. The amendments come a week after five Australian men were charged with plotting a suicide gun attack on a Sydney military base.
Authorities in Canberra have gradually extended police powers to detain terror suspects following the 9/11 attacks.
Human rights groups and law experts have strongly criticized the new measures, saying they will sweep away fundamental legal safeguards.
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