Jihadist teens could be forced to wear tracking devices under new anti-terror laws

JIHADI teenagers as young as 14 could be forced to wear tracking devices to prevent an imminent terrorist attack in Australia under a new wave of anti-terror laws.

JIHADI teenagers as young as 14 could be forced to wear tracking devices to prevent an imminent terrorist attack in Australia under a new wave anti-terror laws.

The proposed reforms would also seek to limit legal aid for convicted terrorists and increase penalties for tampering with GPS tracking bracelets used to monitor terrorists.

It can be revealed that the Australian Federal Police is in talks with the government amid concerns terror groups are increasingly targeting children and teenagers as “cannon fodder’’ for Islamic State.

Under existing laws, control orders cannot apply to children under 16 years old. Unlike 18-year-olds, control orders for minors currently only apply for three months, not 12.

Melbourne teen Jake Bilardi carrying a gun believed to be in Syria. Picture: Supplied

Australian terrorist Khaled Sharrouf’s children believed to be pictured in Syria. Picture: Supplied

Previously used against Guantanamo inmate David Hicks and “Jihad” Jack Thomas, control orders could force teens to remain at home for up to 12 hours a day, be photographed and fingerprinted, and banned from using the internet.

Police are deeply concerned that the extremists are increasingly targeting children and teenagers in schools.

Minors have been also been stopped at Australian airports on the suspicion of travelling overseas to the Middle East to join foreign fighters.

In March, two brothers, aged 16 and 17 were intercepted at Sydney airport amid fears they intended to join the conflict in the Middle East.

Describing the teenagers as “kids, not killers”, the Prime Minister warned: “Don’t even begin to think that you can leave. We will stop you at the border on the way out.”

If legislated, the control orders could also potentially apply to the children of notorious terrorist Khaled Sharrouf if they ever return to Australia.

Sharrouf’s 14-year-old daughter, who married jihadi Mohamed Elomar, killed in a drone strike, has boasted on social media of her support for attacks on Australia.

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Attorney-General George Brandis has previously warned terrorists are “grooming’’ young Australians using similar methods to paedophiles, such as social media.

Muslim leaders have warned of the increasing alienation of Muslim youngsters in Victoria, where one in three Muslims are aged under 14.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute also claimed older recruiters, including Mohammed Ali Baryalei, who died last year, were targeting young recruits.

Control orders can be placed on terror suspects by federal magistrates if it substantially helps prevent a terrorist attack, the person has trained or participated in training with a listed terrorist organisation, or has engaged in a hostile activity in a foreign country.