Australia news convicted terrorists could lose citizenship under new aussie laws 20231126 p5yxdr.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Advertisement
Advertisement
This was published 2 years ago

Convicted terrorists could lose Aussie citizenship under new laws

Rhiannon Tuffield

Powered by

Convicted terrorists could soon be stripped of their citizenship under sweeping new changes to be introduced to Parliament.

It's just one of the many issues high on the government's agenda as the national Parliament meets for its last sitting of the year.

The proposed changes to citizenship laws will enable the High Court to strip dual nationals of their citizenship if they're convicted of terror-related crimes.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Convicted terrorist set for release into the community after Australian citizenship restored

Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Clare O'Neill.

Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Clare O'Neill. Janie Barrett

It comes after the same court overturned a key plank of Australia's immigration regime earlier this month.

The change meant previous powers allowing a minister to deprive a person's citizenship after being convicted of a terror offence were no longer valid.

The decision sparked a scramble to deal with the release of what's now 83 detainees, including three murderers, several sexual offenders and an alleged hitman from Malaysia.

The new proposal will instead hand over the power to take away citizenship from convicted terrorist to high court judges, keeping the punishment in the hands of the judiciary.

READ MORE: Deputy Prime Minister insists public safety is priority amid fallout from asylum seeker court ruling

High Court of Australia building (AAP)

The ability to strip a terrorist's citizenship would be handed over to the judiciary under new laws AAP

Advertisement

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil will put forward the new legislation next week in an effort to fix the 'broken' laws.

She said she was hopeful the move would replace current regulations with laws that were 'tough and constitutionally sound'.

According to a Home Affairs spokesperson the new "watertight" laws were formed with the input of constitutional legal experts.

It's expected the legislation, to be tabled on Monday, will pass through parliament with the Coalition's support.

email icon

Contact us

Share a tip-off, video or photo with us

Most viewed in Australia

More to explore