Rights concern on control orders for 14yos

A move to apply control orders to 14-year-old terror suspects has been questioned on human rights concerns.

Parliament's human rights committee said the government's fifth tranche of counter-terrorism legislation could limit a number of rights, including the right of the child to be heard in judicial and administrative proceedings.

The committee, chaired by Liberal MP Philip Ruddock, raised doubts about the extent a court would consider the best interests of the child, as required by the draft law.

There was also nothing in the legislation that would prevent a child being separated from their family or being denied access to school, despite assurances a control order would not authorise detention.

The committee in a report on Tuesday said it was unclear why the child was being targeted when individuals who encouraged them to be involved in terrorism could be the focus.

It has asked for further information from Attorney-General George Brandis before finalising its position on the bill.

The legislation was introduced after the Parramatta shooting in which a 15-year-old schoolboy killed NSW police worker Curtis Cheng.