Australia is to impose "draconian" counter-terrorism laws after state and territory leaders agreed today to wide-ranging security proposals made by Prime Minister John Howard.
Mr Howard said the new laws, which include detaining suspects for up to 48 hours without charge and using electronic tracking devices to keep tabs on terror suspects, were needed to combat "unusual circumstances".
John Howard is to unveil new counter-terror laws. Photo: Reuters
He said: "I cannot guarantee that Australia will not be the subject of a terror attack . . . but as a result of the decisions taken today we are in a stronger and better position to give peace of mind to the Australian community."
Mr Howard also unveiled plans to spend 20 million Australian dollars on an Australian police chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear research facility.
The new laws come from a review of Australia's counter-terror laws following the July 7th London bus and subway bombings.
Under the planned changes, existing sedition laws are to be replaced by a new law making it a crime to incite violence against the community or against Australian soldiers serving overseas or to support Australia's enemies.
Police would also be given wider powers to stop and search people, and it would become a crime to leave any baggage unattended at an airport.