A move to apply control orders to 14-year-old terror suspects has been questioned on human rights concerns.
Parliament's human rights committee said the government's fifth tranche of counter-terrorism legislation could limit a number of rights, including the right of the child to be heard in judicial and administrative proceedings.
The committee, chaired by Liberal MP Philip Ruddock, raised doubts about the extent a court would consider the best interests of the child, as required by the draft law.
There was also nothing in the legislation that would prevent a child being separated from their family or being denied access to school, despite assurances a control order would not authorise detention.
The committee in a report on Tuesday said it was unclear why the child was being targeted when individuals who encouraged them to be involved in terrorism could be the focus.
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It has asked for further information from Attorney-General George Brandis before finalising its position on the bill.
The legislation was introduced after the Parramatta shooting in which a 15-year-old schoolboy killed NSW police worker Curtis Cheng.
