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New anti-terror laws could strip jihadists of their Australian citizenship

A federal government counter-­terrorism program to stop young Sydney men becoming jihadists has not allocated a single dollar in promised community grants to fight extremism since it was set up last year.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott flies the flag during his National Security Statement at the AFP Headquarters in Canberra.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott flies the flag during his National Security Statement at the AFP Headquarters in Canberra.

A federal government counter-­terrorism program to stop young Sydney men becoming jihadists has not allocated a single dollar in promised community grants to fight extremism since it was set up last year.

The fund, part of a $14 million program countering violent extremist, was created to help local Muslim ­communities, particularly in Western Sydney, to deradicalise kids and stop them leaving the country to join terrorists in Iraq and Syria.

The Daily Telegraph has confirmed that the program has yet to award a single grant. An estimated 60 people, mainly young men, have since followed Sydney terrorist Khaled Sharrouf and ­illegally ­travelled to the Middle East to join the Islamic State death cult.

The Living Safely in the Community grants, which was established last ­August, was extended last month because it had failed to attract any submissions.

Submissions now close in a week but government officials were not confident that all, if any, of the funds would be allocated.

It is believed that some submissions had been rejected as they did not meet the criteria, but there was also a deep suspicion of the government within the ­Islamic community.

It comes as it was revealed more than 50 Australian dual ­nationals face being kicked out of the country or being stripped of their citizenship while overseas when new counter-terrorism laws likely come into force as early as next month.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott makes his way to his armoured BMW in Canberra this morning. Picture: Gary Ramage
Prime Minister Tony Abbott makes his way to his armoured BMW in Canberra this morning. Picture: Gary Ramage

The Daily Telegraph has learned that half the 90 Australians known to now be fighting with Islamic State in Syria and Iraq are dual nationals.

Around the same number of ­terrorists currently serving time in jail in Australia are also dual nationals — who could be thrown out of the country when they are released.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced yesterday in an unprecedented address on national security that the government would start stripping dual nationals actively linked to terror groups of their ­Australian citizenship.

Australian nationals would also have citizenship privileges revoked if found to be involved in terrorism.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott flies the flag during his National Security Statement at the AFP Headquarters in Canberra.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott flies the flag during his National Security Statement at the AFP Headquarters in Canberra.

The new measures, including measures to outlaw any extremist groups, will go to the National Security Committee of Cabinet in the next two weeks and will come before the parliament in March.

Mr Abbott yesterday warned that the risk of domestic terrorism was unprecedented in the country’s ­history and now posed a clear and present danger.

“On all metrics, the threat to ­Australia is worsening. The number of foreign fighters is increasing, the number of known sympathisers and supporters of extremists is increasing, and the number of potential ­terrorists, including many who live in our midst, is rising as well.”

“We have seen the beheadings, the mass executions, the crucifixions and the sexual slavery in the name of religion.

“We have seen our fellow Australians — people born and bred to live and let live — succumb to the lure of this death cult.

The Prime Minister addresses the House of Representatives after announcing fresh measures to combat "homegrown" extremists. Picture: AFP
The Prime Minister addresses the House of Representatives after announcing fresh measures to combat "homegrown" extremists. Picture: AFP

“(So) today, I am announcing that the government will look at new measures to strengthen immigration laws, as well as new options for dealing with Australian citizens who are involved in terrorism.

“We cannot allow bad people to use our good nature against us.

“It has long been the case that people who fight against Australia forfeit their citizenship. Australians who take up arms with terrorist groups, especially while Australian military personnel are engaged in Afghanistan and Iraq, have sided against their country and should be treated accordingly.”

Mr Abbott confirmed that ASIO was now monitoring 400 “high priority” national security cases.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/new-antiterror-laws-could-strip-jihadists-of-their-australian-citizenship/news-story/fd86c57145af7e9123d38120de16afcd