THE Tasmanian government is seeking to beef up its terrorism laws, in the face of what it describes as "serious and ongoing" threats. The proposed changes relate to preventative detention orders, which allow someone to be detained for up to two weeks without being arrested or prosecuted. The orders are designed as an extraordinary measure in very serious circumstances, and until recently have been used sparingly. However, in the past year four PDOs have been issued; three in New South Wales and one in Victoria. The orders are intended to prevent imminent terrorist attacks occurring, or to preserve evidence in the aftermath of an attack. Police Minister Rene Hidding said changing the criteria and process for issuing PDOs would bring Tasmania in line with other states and territories. Under the changes, authorised officers must be satisfied it is reasonably necessary - rather than necessary - to detain an individual. Applications could also be made for a person whose full name is not known, but who could be identified in other ways including their physical description. Authorised officers would also be able to apply for PDOs orally or electronically in urgent circumstances. Mr Hidding said the mooted changes were agreed to by COAG last year and had been provided to a range of Tasmanian legal and civil rights groups. In his second reading speech, Mr Hidding said Australia faced serious and ongoing terrorist threats. "It would be naive to think that Tasmania is immune to these threats. The reality is we are not," Mr Hidding said. "The amendment bill provides a sensible and practical approach to dealing with the ongoing threat or terrorism that is consistent with agreements of COAG." The bill will be debated in Parliament at a later date.
THE Tasmanian government is seeking to beef up its terrorism laws, in the face of what it describes as "serious and ongoing" threats.
The proposed changes relate to preventative detention orders, which allow someone to be detained for up to two weeks without being arrested or prosecuted.
The orders are designed as an extraordinary measure in very serious circumstances, and until recently have been used sparingly.
However, in the past year four PDOs have been issued; three in New South Wales and one in Victoria.
The orders are intended to prevent imminent terrorist attacks occurring, or to preserve evidence in the aftermath of an attack.
Police Minister Rene Hidding said changing the criteria and process for issuing PDOs would bring Tasmania in line with other states and territories.
Under the changes, authorised officers must be satisfied it is reasonably necessary - rather than necessary - to detain an individual.
Applications could also be made for a person whose full name is not known, but who could be identified in other ways including their physical description.
Authorised officers would also be able to apply for PDOs orally or electronically in urgent circumstances.
Mr Hidding said the mooted changes were agreed to by COAG last year and had been provided to a range of Tasmanian legal and civil rights groups.
In his second reading speech, Mr Hidding said Australia faced serious and ongoing terrorist threats.
"It would be naive to think that Tasmania is immune to these threats. The reality is we are not," Mr Hidding said.
"The amendment bill provides a sensible and practical approach to dealing with the ongoing threat or terrorism that is consistent with agreements of COAG."
The bill will be debated in Parliament at a later date.
