Terrorist-related offenders will find it hard to get parole, the NSW premier has announced as the state strengthens even further its counter-terrorism laws.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian made no apology about the tougher bail laws, as she made the announcement alongside Attorney General Mark Speakman, Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and Corrective Services Minister Peter Severin on Wednesday.
"We know these are tough laws, but unfortunately these circumstances are here because of what we see around the world and around Australia. We want to make sure that our citizens are protected in every way and unfortunately we know it only takes one person to cause and inflict harm on so many others," Ms Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney.
A terrorist-related offender will only get bail in "exceptional circumstances" said Mr Speakman.
"We've tightened parole laws to make it clear that the offender will not get parole unless the parole authority is satisfied that they won't be involved in terrorist acts or inciting terrorist acts," he said.
If a person poses a risk of terrorism to the community, the Supreme Court will have the power to detain them, he said.
"In this age, where the threat of terrorism is real, we have to find an appropriate balance between civil liberties on the one hand and protecting the community on the other," Mr Speakman said.
As it stands, only police in NSW have the power to detain a person for questioning for up to 14 days - with most states allowing only a maximum of seven.
