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Govt MP wants citizenship bill expanded

Nationals MP George Christensen has told parliament legislation to strip citizenship from dual national terror suspects should go further.

Liberal National Member for Dawson George Christensen
Nationals MP George Christensen Source: AAP

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Source: AAP


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An outspoken government backbencher wants Australian citizenship stripped from terror suspects who are able to become nationals of another country.

Days after calling for the death penalty for terrorists, George Christensen says legislation revoking passports from dual nationals should go further for those who can become citizens of another nation.

"I say goodbye to them, good riddance and don't let the Customs' gate hit you on the way out," he told parliament on Monday in his message to those who did not accept the Australian way of life.

Labor MP Michael Danby warned about the dangers of highlighting the political factors behind terrorism.

While not naming the Grand Mufti, Mr Danby said some explanations of terror attacks could come dangerously close to justifications.

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"In the search for the political motivation behind terrorism, some have crossed the line between explaining and excusing," he told parliament.

He said those who believe understanding and alleviating terrorism's political causes would create a more peaceful world could not be more wrong.

"Such understanding only encourages more violence for people seek the benefits of violence."

However, fellow Labor MP Tim Watts used debate to highlight there were about 500,000 Muslims in Australia and only a bare handful of "perverted fanatics" who used the religion to commit acts of barbarity.

Modern Islam was not the fever dream of bigotry and paranoia that was inside the minds of some conservative MPs, he said.

Mr Watts stressed the importance of social cohesion, a position backed by leaders and police.

"It's an important issue being hijacked by irresponsible, ignorant members of a minority group within the coalition."


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