Second anti-terror bill goes to parliament

A new national security bill proposes that anyone travelling to a known terrorist hot spot could face a five-year jail sentence.

The Senate is seen during a division on amendments during the carbon tax repeal bill debate (AAP).

The Senate is seen debating a second terror law bill. (AAP).

New laws designed to crack down on Australians travelling overseas to fight with extremist groups have been introduced to parliament.

Attorney-General George Brandis introduced the foreign fighters bill on Wednesday. It is the second of the Abbott government's proposed new counter-terrorism measures.

A joint parliamentary committee has until October 17 to consider the bill.

Senator Brandis said Opposition Leader Bill Shorten had told Prime Minister Tony Abbott that Labor would do "all in its power" to help the bill pass parliament by the end of October.

Labor senator Jacinta Collins echoed the assurance, saying national security should always be above politics.

Under the new laws, travelling to a known terrorist hot spot could attract a five-year jail sentence while "advocating terrorism" will attract a similar sentence.

Under the new laws, enforcement agencies will get extra powers to investigate, arrest and prosecute people who support foreign conflicts.

Welfare, family payments and paid parental leave can be cancelled on security grounds.

Passports can be seized for 14 days, and if such a seizure could tip the person off to an investigation it can be done without notice.

The Senate is considering the first of the government's counter-terrorism measures to beef up the powers of Australia's domestic spy agency ASIO.


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