New laws that strip dual-national terrorism suspects of their Australian citizenship are likely to be tougher than originally planned.
The government will bring to parliament in this sitting fortnight a bill giving new powers to the immigration minister.
Labor says it wants to see the detail of the bill, which has been controversial within the coalition cabinet, to ensure it upholds the rule of law while tackling the problem of foreign fighters.
Mr Abbott told parliament national security was in "very good hands" with the coalition.
"As far as is reasonably possible, if someone leaves this country to fight with a terrorist army in the Middle East, they aren't coming back ... they have committed the modern form of treason," he said.
A parliamentary question time government brief leaked to The West Australian newspaper says the bill would be made "toothless" if it required a court conviction rather than just a ministerial decision.
The brief makes it clear the coalition is seeking to score a political point on the issue.
"The government knows where it stands on terrorists who are dual citizens - Labor does not," it says.
"None of us should give succour to those who would take up arms against our soldiers or do the Australian people harm."
Labor frontbencher Richard Marles said national security should be above party politics.
Outgoing national security legislation monitor Bret Walker says his original proposal to the government was to allow people to have their citizenship revoked only after being convicted of a crime.
Any move to put the power solely in the hands of a minister, rather than a court, could end up challenged in the High Court.
Mr Marles said Mr Walker's proposal made sense, but Labor was still yet to see the details of the laws to assess any unintended consequences.
Independent senator Nick Xenophon said a Senate inquiry would be needed before the laws are passed.
"If the Senate is to do its job properly there must be a separate inquiry calling evidence in a way that is open and transparent - in other words, a public hearing," he said.
The bill will almost certainly go to an intelligence committee inquiry, but this will only involve Labor and coalition members.
More than 100 people have left Australia to fight for Islamic State and about half of them are dual nationals.
The Labor caucus is unlikely to see the bill until at least next week.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said a briefing would only be provided after the bill was introduced to parliament, which is expected on Wednesday or Thursday at the earliest.
Share
