Prime minister defends harsher counter-terrorism measures

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to members of a Tactical Response Team. Source: AAP

State and Territory leaders have joined prime minister Malcolm Turnbull in passing harsher counter-terrorism measures.

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Children as young as ten can be held in custody for 14 days without charge in new measures agreed upon by the leaders of State and Territory Governments in their annual COAG meeting with the prime minister.  The Law Council of Australia has expressed concerns at the potential violation of human rights and basic freedoms under the new laws.