Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott yesterday said that the nation is set to introduce new counterterrorism laws, with the package expected to include stripping dual nationals who are linked to terrorism of their citizenship.
There has been speculation that the plan to amend citizenship laws, which was disclosed in February, could also affect second-generation Australians who carry only one passport.
At the same time, the government is considering introducing a “jihadi watch” program in schools, which would keep tabs on pupils whose behavior suggests they might have been radicalized, it was announced yesterday.
“It’s long been the case that if you have served with the armed forces of a country at war with Australia, you automatically lose your citizenship,” Abbott said.
Australia raised its threat level to high in September last year and has since carried out a series of counterterrorism raids, with several alleged plots foiled this year.
Canberra has also taken a tough stance against radicalized citizens amid alarm at the departure of more than 100 of its nationals to Iraq and Syria to fight alongside jihadists, including the Islamic State group, formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
Abbott on Tuesday ruled out any leniency for returning jihadists following reports three citizens suspected of fighting with the Islamic State group were negotiating with the government to come home.
Today, an inquest resumes into a Sydney cafe siege in December last year in which two hostages and the shooter, Iranian-born self-styled cleric Man Haron Monis, died.
The first two weeks of the inquest are to explore Monis’ background.
Abbott would not comment on a report on Thursday that his government was also exploring the possibility of stripping second-generation Australians of their citizenships if they are linked to terrorist activity, saying further details of the legislative changes would be released in a few days.
The possible measures, which were raised in the Australian newspaper, would force such nationals to take on citizenship of their parents’ birth nations.
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