Jacqui Lambie is preparing a Private Member's Bill to reintroduce the death penalty for citizens who leave Australia to become foreign fighters.
The comments from the Independent Tasmanian Senator come as the Federal Government stresses its stance against the death penalty as part of negotiations to save Bali Nine duo Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.
Listen: Stephanie Anderson speaks with Jacqui Lambie
Senator Lambie has previously called for the government to revoke the citizenship of Australians who fight for terrorist organisations overseas, but has since stepped up her opposition to foreign fighters.
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Speaking to SBS, she said the government had to be “very hardcore” in dealing with terrorism.
“Treason and sedition are the most serious crimes that can be laid against a citizen of this country,” she said.
“What I want to know is why haven’t these extraordinary charges been laid against terrorism supporters… If they’re going to be serious, Australia should bring back the death penalty for those found guilty of treason.”
Senator Lambie dismissed criticism that her comments were irresponsible, given ongoing negotiations with the Indonesian Government to save two Australians sentenced to death.
She said she had been “out fighting” for the pair, but added that politicians should be “mature enough to deal with a number of different crises at once”.
“The terrorists aren’t going to take off a week or two while we deal with crises,” she said.
“[If politicians] have got any smarts when it comes to terrorism, they will support my call.”
Senator Lambie hopes to bring her bill forward within the next fortnight.
Comment has been sought from Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott spoke out against the death penalty on Friday, repeating the government's determination to save the two Australians sentenced to death in Indonesia.
Mr Abbott said the pair were reformed and now a "weapon against drugs".
On Tuesday, Senator Lambie called for “opposition to Sharia Law” to be introduced into citizenship pledges.
In a statement, she said the citizenship oath should read: “I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights, liberties and opposition to Sharia law I respect and whose laws I will uphold and obey.”
