A cross-party report has backed a government plan to allow children as young as 14 to be subject to an anti-terrorism control order.
The report said the law change, proposed by Attorney-General George Brandis in a bill before parliament, was "a reasonable and necessary measure for protecting the community from harm".
The parliamentary intelligence and security committee backed the argument of the Australian Federal Police that early intervention, such as the use of control orders, could steer teenagers off the path of radicalisation.
But the committee said the laws should explicitly state a young person has the right to legal representation and make the best interests of the young person the "primary consideration" when courts are considering the conditions of an order.
A parent or guardian of the young person should also be notified of the details of any orders.
The report called for a system of special advocates to represent the interests of control order subjects who have had information withheld from them.
The draft laws also allow for searches and surveillance to check whether a person is complying with a control order, as well as a new offence banning the advocating of genocide.
"The bill responds to the evolving nature of the terrorist threat in Australia and seeks to ensure that our law enforcement and security agencies remain well-equipped to respond to current and future challenges," committee chair Dan Tehan said.
At the same time, the laws must safeguard fundamental human rights and have proper oversight and reporting, he said.
Senator Brandis said he would consider the report's 21 recommendations.
