Prime Minister Tony Abbott says it's hard to argue that Australian terrorists should remain citizens.
Ahead of further counter-terrorism laws going before parliament this week, Mr Abbott was asked on Sunday if the legislation could strip second generation citizens of their citizenship if they engage in terrorist activity.
He refused to go into detail, but said there was already a provision under Australian law allowing the government to strip the citizenship of those who take up arms against the Commonwealth.
"People who are serving with terrorist groups overseas, people who are fighting with terrorist groups overseas, who are engaged in terrorist activities here in Australia are effectively taking up arms against us," Mr Abbott told reporters in Brisbane.
"It's very hard to imagine we should allow them to remain ... people who are trying to destroy us."
It's anticipated the new laws will strip dual nationals of their Australian citizenship if they join terrorist organisations.
The government is also understood to be considering restricting the rights of those who only hold Australian citizenship.
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