Government seeks to strengthen terror laws to keep ‘high risk’ terrorists locked up

The Federal Government seeking to close a loophole that would prevent it from keeping ‘high risk’ terrorists in jail even if they pose a threat to public safety.

Counter-terror laws across Australian will be brought into line with NSW’s tough legislation to ensure that convicted terrorists stay locked up if they pose a risk to the community­.

A loophole currently prevents the Home Affairs Minister from intervening in state matters. But, under changes to be introduced to parliament by the federal government Thursday, the minister will be able to keep terrorists in jail if their Commonwealth sentence has been served and they are up for parole for a state offence.

Alo-Bridget Namoa was one half of the “Islamic Bonnie and Clyde”.

Eleven convicted terrorists in Australia are due for release in the next 18 months.

Offenders due for release in that period include Sameh Bayda and Alo-Bridget Namoa — known as the “Islamic Bonnie and Clyde” — who were sentenced to jail terms of four years and three years and nine months respectively for plotting a terror attack in 2016.

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While some members of the “Tinnie Terrorists” group — who planned to sail from Queensland to help overthrow the Philippines government — will also complete sentences in 2020.

Attorney-General Christian Porter said the government’s Counter-Terrorism Legislation

Amendment Bill 2019 would ensure dangerous offenders remained behind bars if they posed a threat to public safety.

“Prison is where those individuals belong and this bill will ensure that is where they will stay,” he said.

A picture of Sameh Bayda and his bride Alo-Bridget Namoa tendered to court.

Since the national terrorism threat level was raised to ‘probable’ in September 2014, there have been seven terrorist attacks on Australian soil and a further 16 have been disrupted by law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

During the same period, 76 people have been convicted of terrorism related offences.

“Eleven of these individuals are due for release over the course of the next 18 months,” Mr Porter said.

A second amendment being proposed would mean criminals convicted of non-terror related offences, but who are found to be supporters of terror organisations, could be denied parole unless they can positively show there are exceptional circumstances to justify their release.

The Council of Australian Governments agreed to the changes in 2017 in the wake of revelations Brighton siege terrorists Yacqub Khayre was on parole and had previously been charged with conspiring to commit a terrorist attack.

The new laws could have prevented Khayre from being released.

CCTV from the Palmer River Roadhouse of the Tinnie Terrorists stocking up supplies. Picture: Channel 7

It comes as the Intelligence and Security Committee on Wednesday heard a proposal to relist five previously declared terrorist organisations, and list one new organisations — Islamic State-Somalia — to make it easier for prosecutors to convict people linked to the groups.

ASIO deputy director general operations and assessment group Heather Cook gave evidence to the committee that IS still had the “strongest brand” in terms of recognition in Australia.

“I believe Islamic State probably … has a stronger brand at the moment,” she said.

“I think it’s the most well known, it has been the most accessible in recent years … given the way its used propaganda and the way it has been less selective and more inclusive in terms of how its attracted membership and interest.”