Getting Tough

Australia Seeks New Powers Against Terrorism

To prevent citizens joining militants.

The government of Australia is seeking broad new security powers to fight what it describes as a rising threat from militant Islamists. The announcement by Prime Minister Tony Abbott follows sweeping counterterrorism raids against apparent ISIS cells. Abbott said legislation will be introduced into parliament next week that would make it a crime for an Australian to travel to any overseas region once the government has declared it off-limits. Australia is concerned about the number of its citizens believed to be fighting overseas with militant groups. Abbott said at least 60 Australians are in the Middle East fighting with ISIS or other militant groups. More than 800 police officers staged raids last week in Sydney and Brisbane that thwarted a plot by Islamic State to behead a random citizen.