Dutton adamant foreign fighter laws will contain appropriate safeguards

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton is adamant new laws banning foreign fighters from returning to Australia for two years contain appropriate safeguards.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton insists a new crackdown on foreign fighters includes appropriate checks and balances.

Legislation aimed at preventing extremists from returning to Australia for up to two years is being debated in the Senate, after passing the lower house.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says new laws banning foreign fighters from returning to Australia for two years contain appropriate safeguards. Source: AAP

Labor will support the bill, despite being unhappy that the minister rather than a judge will make the exclusion orders.

Mr Dutton argues he needs to be able to respond quickly to security threats.

"Our judgment is, particularly in cases where you need to make an urgent decision, that case is best considered by the minister and then reviewed," he told ABC radio on Wednesday.

Anthony Albanese’s Labor party will support the bill, despite being unhappy that the minister rather than a judge will make the exclusion orders. Source: AAP

"We're happy for the review to take place. It's an important check and balance."

Under the legislation, each decision would be reviewed by a retired judge or senior member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

People could also appeal the decisions to the Federal Court, before taking their cases to the High Court.

With AAP...