Proposed anti-terrorism laws targeting foreign fighters would be like giving your possessions to a thief so you won't be robbed, Liberal Democratic David Leyonhjelm says.
Debate has begun on the governmen't second tranche of laws giving additional powers to government agencies and imposing jail terms on Australians travelling to terrorist hotspots without a valid reason.
It will also be illegal to encourage and promote terrorism.
Senator Leyonhjelm says domestic spy agencies already have powers that are incompatible with a liberal democracy.
"In Australia, lightning kills five to 10 people every year," Senator Leyonhjelm told parliament.
"This does not mean our security agencies should have the right to enter our houses to imprison those who would walk around during storms."
He says the laws jeopardise freedom in response to "windy threats from the ginger jihadi of Bankstown," a reference to Abdullah Elmir who has appeared in Islamic State terrorist videos.
The government is determined to get the Bill through the upper house, agreeing to 36 recommendations of a bipartisan joint parliamentary committee, which enable more safety checks and shorter sunset clauses for several measures.
Labor intends to move further amendments.
The Australian Greens do not support the legislation, which they say impinges on the rights of ordinary people.
Once past the Senate, the laws will have to go to the House of Representatives where their passage is all but guaranteed.
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