Australia toughens rules on citizenship
Print Edition
AUSTRALIA moved closer to stripping dual nationals of their citizenship for terrorism offenses yesterday, with a parliamentary committee recommending approval even for old convictions.
Canberra has passed a series of laws to combat concerns about Australians supporting groups such as Islamic State and in June put forward changes to the Citizenship Act.
The amendments are meant to extend current powers removing citizenship from nationals who join armed forces at war with Australia to those who fight for or are in the service of a designated terrorist organization, or who are convicted of terrorism or other offenses.
“This bill modernizes our treason laws to deal with the new threat of home-grown terrorists,” Dan Tehan, who chaired the committee, told reporters in Melbourne. “If you repudiate your allegiance to Australia and you are a dual national, you will lose your citizenship.”
Tehan said the committee had made 27 recommendations, including that the stripping of citizenship for dual nationals convicted of terrorism offenses be limited to those sentenced to at least six years in prison.
It also recommended the law cover those previously handed jail terms of 10 or more years.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was the “strong intention” of his government to “give this law retrospective effect.”
In contrast, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that she “wouldn’t support retrospectivity,” although she added that there could be situations where such moves might be considered.
The removal of citizenship without the need for a conviction should be restricted to Australians engaging in activities outside the country or who have fled overseas before being brought to trial, the bipartisan committee recommended.
Australia raised its terror alert to high a year ago, with two attacks since then — the stabbing of two policemen in Melbourne and a deadly cafe siege in Sydney.
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