Mr WOOD (2:07 PM) —My question is addressed to the Attorney-General. Would the Attorney-General advise the House of the government’s ongoing commitment to a robust counterterrorism legislative framework? Are there any reforms the government is proposing to make the system more effective?

Mr RUDDOCK (Attorney-General) —I thank the honourable member for La Trobe for his question. I think all honourable members know of his background, experience and interest in matters relating to the protection of our community. I think he knows as well as anybody else in this House that we cannot afford to be complacent on these issues. Our terrorism laws have so far proven to be effective, resulting in the arrest and conviction of a number of people here in Australia. However, terrorists have shown that they are, if anything, resourceful, innovative and determined, and we have to make sure, in relation to our laws, that we stay one step ahead of them.

Following the terrorist attacks in London, I asked my department to work with law enforcement and security agencies to examine whether there were further legislative reforms that would enable Australia to prevent or respond to an attack here. I am pleased to say that my colleagues have today endorsed in principle these wide-ranging and well-targeted proposals.

I would like to touch on some of these key reforms. Australia has in place specific powers of detention: detention for intelligence and security purposes and detention for the purposes of investigating an offence—also referred to as arrest. I am concerned that there could be incidents where intelligence is available that a person will be involved in an imminent terrorist attack but the criteria for detention under existing legislation have not been satisfied. The ability of the United Kingdom police to detain individuals without arresting them was instrumental in the resolution of investigations in relation to the recent London bombings. These powers facilitated law enforcement in identification and location of individuals involved in the attacks. With that in mind, we will create a new detention regime with a preventive focus that will complement existing regimes. Under this, police would be authorised to detain a person for up to 24 hours, with scope for extension for a further 24 hours. We will be inviting states to consider, within their competency, whether longer periods might be able to be put in place by them.

We are also increasingly concerned—and I think it is a concern that many in the community share—that conduct by people sympathetic to terrorist activities is in many ways seditious in nature. That is why we will introduce laws to replace the existing sedition offence in the Crimes Act with a new offence in the Criminal Code: ‘inciting violence against the community’. Other amendments will require airlines flying into or operating in Australia to provide certain information to law enforcement and security agencies and will make it an offence to leave baggage unattended within an airport precinct. We will be introducing a new measure, termed a control order, as well as a new system of notice to produce. Drafting of these amendments has already commenced and they will be introduced into the parliament as a matter of priority. I certainly hope they will have the support not only of this side of the House but also of the members opposite.