ASIO detention powers 'should be repealed'

Powers allowing Australia's intelligence agency to detain people for questioning for up to seven days should be scrapped, a high-powered security committee has recommended.

The parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security recommended the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation retain its compulsory questioning powers, but forfeit powers of compulsory detention.

"The committee accepts that there may be limited and exceptional circumstances where the power is required in order to ensure a person attends questioning, and consequently there is the need to provide a 'power of attendance'," it wrote in a report published on Thursday.

"However, noting the seriousness of ongoing detention, the constitutional and human rights concerns with the current framework and the non-use of the powers, the committee is of the view that the current provisions are no longer the appropriate response to the threat of terrorism."

Law Council of Australia president Morry Bailes said the council had long argued the ASIO questioning and detention powers "failed to strike the right balance between protecting the community and upholding the rule of law".

"Today the committee has recognised this imbalance and we welcome these recommendations," he said.