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MPs debate citizenship anti-terror bill

Federal parliament is considering the anti-terrorism bill after Labor sought more time for another briefing by the government.

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Source: AAP


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Federal MPs have begun debating draft laws stripping dual national terrorism suspects of Australian citizenship.

Labor immigration spokesman Richard Marles says the opposition will support the anti-terrorism bill.

While revoking citizenship is a sensitive issue, the bill deals with legitimate national security issues about those who take up arms with a foreign army against the nation, he told parliament on Thursday.

Labor has been assured the legislation is constitutionally sound but stressed it would not be to blame if it was challenged in the High Court.

"The question of constitutionality lies with the government and ultimately it will be up to the government to bear the responsibility of that," Mr Marles said.

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A number of protections have been safeguarded under a revision of the bill following the recommendations of a bipartisan parliamentary inquiry.

Offences relating to the destruction of commonwealth property are no longer in the bill.

Dual citizens would only lose their passport if they engaged in terrorism conduct offshore or if they fled the country after committing an act onshore.

That would reduce the potential application of the laws from millions to merely dozens, Mr Marles said.

Family members will not lose their citizenship if for example a parent does.

Mr Marles said the laws had been improved from their original form.


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